iiiiSiiii^i 



Sim 



i>li& 



ii|^^ 



Wmm 







:st COPY, 

1898. 





Tkinity Chukcii, S?]Xih Eiuiick, lS9tS. 




NNALS OF AN OLD PARISH 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF 



TRINITY CHURCH SOUTHPORT CON 

NECTICUT 1725 TO J 898 BY REV. 

EDMUND GUILBERT D. D. 



c^* ^* e^* fi,^ e^* c^* 



Published by Thomas Whittafcer, 
2 and 3 Bible House, New York 
MDCCCXCVIII ^ ^ Jt jt 






Copyright 1898 
BY Edmund Guilbert. 

TWO COPIES REC. IVED. 







Co 

my Beloved Parisbioners 

of 

trinity CburcD, 

lUbose Coya! Dei^otion and Unwavering Kindness 

mm united in nidRing 

my sojourn among them 

Cbe Rappiest Period of my Cife, 

Cbl$ Uolume, 

Cbe Record of the noble morKs done in tbeir Days 

Jind in tbe Old Cinte before Cbem, 

i$ 
Jlffectionately Dedicated 






Edition de Luxe in Octavo, limited to one hundred 
copies, printed on special paper, extra wide mar- 
gins, numbered 1 to 100, - - - Net, $5.00 

Kegular Edition, Crown Octavo, - - - Net, $2.25 



PREFACE. 

The annals of a religious Society, whose inception long ante- 
dates this waning century, are necessarily the record of the 
varying vicissitudes through which it has passed ; the successes 
it has achieved ; as well as the unerring witness to the quality 
of the men and women, who, from the beginning, have been 
identified with its career. It follows then, that our venerable 
Parish, having been the representative of principles which, 
though unpopular with the many, were as dear to their uphold- 
ers as their existence; having begun and maintained, for a 
century and three-quarters, a continuously vigorous life, in the 
face, a part of the time, of determined opposition; and having 
had in its membership specimens of the best brawn and intel- 
ligence of New England, must have in its past much that is in- 
teresting, and worth rescuing from oblivion. Possessed with 
this feeling, and also conscious that there are those of advan- 
cing years, whose memory of events and persons is still vivid ; 
who, in the course of nature, will not be with us a great while 
longer, the writer has felt impelled to prepare this volume. 
Nor is this all: Fairfield and Stratford — for the two places 
are indissolubly linked together in the early history of Episco- 
pacy in Connecticut — formed the "cradle" in which the Church 
in these parts was nurtured ; and while it ought never to be for- 
gotten by Churchmen, what a vast debt is due to such men 
as Johnson, and Caner, and Shelton, and to their successors, 
for the important part they took in its upbringing, there is 
another aspect of the matter. The writer is no bigot; he 
ever strives to own and cultivate a "judicial mind;" he dis- 
claims any intention of being, under the guise of an impartial 
observer, a partisan; he is, however, constrained to state, as 



VI. PKEFACE. 

the result of his observations, his conviction, that the Denom- 
inations around him are also under great obligations to the 
Communion with which he is connected. The Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, although they may not know, or be willing to 
acknowledge it, he believes, has helped materially to advance 
their condition. One has only to note the character of the 
prevailing religious services of to-day, to discern that it is the 
features the Church has always made part of its system, which 
are set forth in its Book of Common Prayer, that freely adopted, 
largely enables them to retain their hold upon their people. 
Nor is this a new departure. In the early part of the eigh- 
teenth century, the leanest kind of provision was made for 
those who attended Divine worship in the different meeting- 
houses ; and from that time onward there has been a gradual 
enrichment, until we reach the stage that is visible at the 
present time. 

It must be difficult for modern non-Episcopalians, for exam- 
ple, who are accustomed to fine organs, and elaborate music, 
rendered by selected choirs; who hear the Te Deum, and 
Gloria in Excelsis, and Gloria Patri, sung every Sunday, aud 
the Apostles Creed recited ; the Psalms said antiphonally; who 
observe Christmas and are familiar with Easter floral decora- 
tions; who are fully aware that the trend of their worship is 
more and more in a liturgical direction, to realize that these 
things are all borrowed from the Episcopal Church ; that in the 
old days the keeping of Christmas and Easter, was considered 
sure evidence of affiliation with the Papacy; that the Lord's 
Supper and Holy Baptism were little esteemed and infrequent- 
ly administered; that laymen, without a scintilla of authority, 
ordained other men to the sacred Ministry ; that laymen in- 
variably performed the marriage ceremony; that the dead were 
buried, without any service being said over them at all. Yet 
such is the fact, and there is no question but that the Episco- 
pal Church, by means of its Liturgy, its painstaking and rev- 
erent attention to the details of Divine Worship, its Sacra- 



PREFACE. VII. 

ments, its Ministry, the same ever as it is to-day, has percep- 
tibly influenced the various religious bodies with which it has 
come in contact. They owe it then their good-will, and should 
surely be among those who regard its history in the past with 
kindly interest, and are resolved to pray for its prosperity 
in the years to come. These reflections are especially com- 
mended, with the writer's fraternal regards, to his neighbors, 
the religious Organizations of the Town of Fairfield. 

Once in a great while allusion is made to the so-called dis- 
loyalty of the Episcopal Church in the time of the American 
Revolution. Its Clergy at that crucial epoch were mostly 
Englishmen; ordained in England; and supported altogether, 
or in part, by the Venerable Society of London. As was to be 
expected, they looked at events, as they came to pass, from the 
English point of view. Not a few of the Clergy, nevertheless, 
were devoted to the cause of the Colonies ; while the laity as 
a body were overwhelmingly on its side. What if a portion of 
the former remained steadfast to the old order of things? At 
least, they were sincere in their convictions, and honest in the 
maintenance of them. We have had an experience in the late 
Civil War that must teach us to view tenderly, and have great 
respect for, men who had the courage of their convictions, 
who refused under the greatest pressure to violate their oath 
of allegiance, and own submission to what they considered an 
usurping government. 

The attention of the reader is particularly invited by the 
writer to the great value of the appendices. The quaint and 
interesting " Sketch of Trinity Parish," by the Rev. Philo 
Shelton, is printed in full for the first time. The almost 
priceless "Private Record of Baptisms, Marriages, Burials, 
etc., performed by Rev. Philo Shelton, during the Forty Years 
of his Ministry, 1785-1825 A. D.," has never been given to the 
public before, so far as is known. It contains over four thou- 
sand names, and deserves not only to be put in a shape which 
shall transmit it uumutilated to succeeding generations; but 



also to be made accessible to those, who at any future time, 
shall be interested iu genealogical researches among the early 
settlers of the Town of Fairfield. The copy of the " Record,'" 
now in the possession of Trinity Parish, was transcribed from 
the original, which is held as an heirloom in the Sheldon fam- 
ily, by Mr. Lewis B. Curtis, of Southport; to whose faithful 
and arduous labors the thanks of the writer are due. 

Whatever may be the merit of the following pages, the writer 
makes no claim to originality. Others before him have treated 
portions of his subject exhaustively. It has been his pur- 
pose rather to collect than to construct that which is entirely 
new; to procure from all available sources such items of his- 
tory as relate to Trinity Parish; and arrange them in the most 
conveuient order. The archives of the Venerable Society for 
the Propagation of the Gospel, of London, England, under 
whose welcome auspices, what is now the Protestant Episco- 
pal Church, was introduced into Connecticut, have been con- 
sulted. The Town Records have been carefully searched. The 
Colonial Records, as far as published, have also been examined. 
The Rev. Dr. Beardsley's " History of the Episcopal Church in 
Connecticut;" as well as the admirable "Historical Discourse 
for the Jubilee of the Veuei'able Society," above mentioned, de- 
livered in Trinity Church, Southport, August 10th, 1851, by the 
Rev. Nathaniel E. Cornwall, Rector, have afforded much neces- 
sary information, which has been freely utilized. The Parish 
Records preserved intact from the year of the destruction of 
the second Church and Parsonage, by the British, 1779, A. D. 
to the present day, have proved a source of enlightenment to so 
great an extent, that were they wanting, even this brief tran- 
script of the past life of the Parish could never have been 
written. Various parishioners, and others who do not stand in 
that relation, have furnished a great deal of valuable material, 
both written and oral. As it would be invidious to specif^'^ 
one and not the rest, their names are not published. To all 
of them the writer's indebtedness is gratefully acknowledged. 



PREFACE. IX 

This does not pretend to be a perfect book. No history 
that was ever wi'itten, can claim to be faultless. The most 
careful, as well as diligent, student is always liable to make 
mistakes. The writer believes, though, there are but few in 
the work he now offers to his readers. Whatever genuine 
errors or notable omissions there may be, whoever discovers 
them, will do him a favor by pointing them out, and he prom- 
ises that in due time they shall be corrected or supplied. 

Southport, November 1st, 1898. E. G. 



"Superficial it must be, but I do uot disown the charge. 
Better a superficial book which brings well and strikingly 
together the known and acknowledged facts, than a dull, 
boring narrative, pausing at every moment to see further into 
a millstone than the nature of the millstone will admit." 

Sir Walter Scott, Journal, December 22?ic?, 1825. 



CONTENTS, 



I. First Settlement and Early History of Unquowa, 

Afterwards, the Town of Fairfield, 1638 A.D. 1 

II. Sketch of the Ecclesiastical Situation in Con- 
necticut, 1638 A. D to 1818 A. D. - - - 6 
III. Organization of the Venerable Society : Visit 
OF Keith and Talbot to the New England 
Colonies, 1702 A. D. ----- 10 

IV. The Rev. George Muirson, the Rev. Messrs. Tal- 
bot, Sharpe, and Bridge, Officiate at Fairfield 
1706-1723 A. D. - - - - - - 24 

V. The Ministry of the Rev. Samuel Johnson, and 
the Building of the First Church at Mill 
Plain, 1723-1727 A. D. - - - - - 30 

VI. The Rev. Henry Caner, the First Rector of 
Trinity Church, and the Building of the Sec- 
ond Church Edifice, 1727-1747 A. D. - - 38 
VII. The Rev. Joseph Lamson's Rectorship, 1747-1773 

A. D. - - - ----- 45 

VIII. The Rev. John Sayre's Rectorship : The Burning 

OF Fairfield, 1773 1779 A. D. - - - - 50 

IX. Mr. Philo Shelton, Lay Reader: Election of 

Bishop Seabury, 1779-1785 A. D. - - - 56 
X. The Rev. Philo Shelton's Rectorship : Building 
of the Third Church on Mill Plain, 1785-1817 
A. D. --.-._-. 68 
XL The Rev. Philo Shelton's Rectorship Continued : 
The Lottery: Founding of the Bible and Pray- 
er Book Society of Trinity Parish, 1817-1820 
A. D. - . 75 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 



XII. Latter Years of Rev. Philo Shelton's Rector- 
ship : His Death, 1820-1825 A. D. - - - 82 
XIII. The Rectorship of the Rev. William Shelton, 

1825-1829 A. D. ------ 89 

XIV. The Rectorship of the Rev. Charles Smith: 
Erection of the Chapel at Southport, 1828- 
1834, A. D. • - - - - - - - 94 

XY. The Rectorship of the Rev. Nathaniel E. Corn- 
wall : Transfer of Services from Mill Plain to 
Southport: Demolition of the Mill Plain 
Church, 1834-1841 A. D. - - - - - 99 

XVI. Continuation of Rev. Nathaniel E. Cornwall's 
Rectorship : State of the Parish : Resignation. 
1841-1853 A. D. - - - - - - 109 

XVII. The Rectorship of the Rev. James Souveraine 

Purdy: Destruction of the Fourth Church by 
Fire: Change of Site,and Building of the Fifth 
Church, 1853-1858 A. D. - - - - - 117 

XVIII. The Rectorship of the Rev. Rufus Emery : De- 
struction of the Fifth Church by a Tornado : 
Building of the Sixth Church, 1858-1871, A. D. 127 

XIX. The Rectorship of the Rev. Edward Livingston- 
Wells: Building of the Chapel, 1870-1877 A.D. 138 
XX. The Rectorship of the Rev. Taliaferro P. Caskey, 

1877-1879 A. D. - - - - - - 144 

XXI. The Rectorship of the Rev. Charles G. Adams, 

1879-1890 A. D. - - - - - - 146 

XXII. The Rectorship of the Rev. Edmund Guilbert, 

1890— 152 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PAGB. 

Trinity Church, Sixth Edifice, 1898 A. D. - Frontispiece 

Trinity Church, Easter, 1898 A. D. . . . . 1 

Rev. George Keith ------- 16 

Seal of the Venerable Society for the Propagation 

of the Gospel in Foreign Parts - - - - 18 

Rev. Samuel Johnson ------- 30 

Map of the Sites of the Churches, Erected by Trinity 

Parish since its organization - - - - 33 

The First Church Edifice, Mill Plain - . . - "iS 

Tombstone of Abraham Adams ----- 36 

Rev. Henry Caner ------ 38 

The Second Church Edifice, Fairfield Village - - 41 

Rev. John Sayre -------- 51 

Rev. Philo Shelton -------- 58 

House of John Sherwood, Greenfield Hill - - - 59 

Site of Old St. Andi'ews, Aberdeen - - - - 63 

Bishop Seabury -------- 64 

First page of Parish Record, 1779 A. D. - - - 66 

The Third Church Edifice, Mill Plain - - - - 69 

Bishop Jarvis, - - - - - - - - 71 

Foot Stove used in the Olden Time - - - - 73 

Fac-Simile of Lottery Ticket, 1820 A. D. - - - 78 

Bishop Hobart -------- 80 

The Shelton Homestead, Bridgeport - - - - 85 

Bishop Brownell -------- 87 

Rev. William Shelton ------- S9 

The Old Academy -------- 92 

Rev. Charles Smith ------ - 94 

Rev. Nathaniel E. Cornwall - - - - - - 99 



XIV. ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE. 

The First Southport Parsonage . - . - - 104 

The Fourth Church Edifice, Southport - - - 109 

Pitch Pipe used in the Old Church - - - - 111 

Jeremiah , Sturges - - - - - - - -113 

Eev. James S. Purdy ..----- 117 

The Fifth Church Edifice, Southport - - - - 119 

Bishop Williams - - - - - - - - 121 

St. Paul's Church, Fairfield Village - - . - 122 

Justus Sherwood, M. D. ------ 124 

Rev. Rufus Emery ------- 127 

Hull Sherwood -------- 129 

Andrew Bulkley - - - - - - - 131 

William Bulkley -------- 133 

Moses Bulkley -------- 136 

Rev. Edward L. Wells - ------ 138 

The Chapel and the Parish School, 1874 A. D. - - 139 

Francis D. Perry - - ----- - 140 

Charles Bulkley -------- 142 

Bishop Brewster -------- 143 

Rev. Taliaferro P. Caskey --.--- 144 

Francis Jelliff -------- 145 

Rev. Charles G. Adams - ----- - 146 

Jonathan Godfrey -------- 148 

David Banks _.------ 150 

Rev. Edmund Guilbert ------ 152 

Chancel of Trinity Church ------ 154 

Trinity Church, Interior, 1890 A. D. - - - - 155 

The Second Southport Parsonage ----- 156 

The Rockwell Memorial Font ----- 157 

The Francis D. Perry Rectory ----- 158 



APPENDICES. 



A. Bishops of the Diocese of Connecticut. 

B. Clergymen who Officiated in Fairfield Before 1827. 

C. Rectors of Trinity Parish. 

D. Church- Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Parish. 

E. Baptisms Recorded Previous to 1779. 

F. Some Curious Facts in the Life of Dr. James Laborie. 

G. Statement Concerning Trinity Parish, Written in 
the Parish Record, by the Rev. Nathaniel E. Cornwall, 
September 5tb, 1851. 

H. Sketch of the Church at Fairfield, by the Rev. 
Philo Shelton, Written in the Year 1804. 

I. Private Parochial Register of the Rev. Philo Shelton. 
( Containing over 4,000 names ot persons Baptized, Conflrmed, Admit- 
ted to the Communion, Married, and Burled, during the Rev. Philo 
Shelton's Rectorship.) 

J. Obituary Notices of the Rev. Philo Shelton, and 
Lucy Shelton, His Wife, by the Rev. Dr. Jarvis, 1827. 
K. The Bible and Prayer Book Society of Trinity Parish. 



'* CoU of our fatbcrci ! S'till bt ouvs ; 

Cbp ffatrs mitir open set, 
.3[n5 forttfp tl)e ancient toiocrs 

SLSEberc Cbou iutti) tbcm bast met. 
CI)p ffuarliian fire, Cl)i> suttiing; clouU, 

^till let tbcm jilD our tuall, 
Jltlor be our foes, nor Cbine alloiuetJ 

Co see U6 faint or fall. 
Cbe tuorcbip of tbe tflorious past 

^tuell on from a^e to age, 
anil be, labile time itself sball last, 

©ur cbiltiren'6 berttaje." 

A'er. William Croswell, D. D. 




Trinity Chukcb, 



CHAPTER I. 



The First Settlement and Early History of Unquowa, Af- 
terwards THE Town of Fairfield, 1638, A. D. 

Scarcely two and three-quarter centuries have passed, 
since the region in which the beautiful village of Southport 
now lies, was a savage wilderness. No foot of white man, un- 
less it may have been that of some adventurous explorer, had 
ever trodden its solitary wastes. Bears in plentiful numbers 
roamed, where now abodes of refinement and culture abound. 
Wolves found an unmolested retreat amid thickets which no 
woodman's axe had ever invaded.* Everything was in its 
pristine dress ; hillside and glen ; forest tree and mossy rock ; 
wavy margined coast, and arbored running stream ; all were 
as nature made and meant them. Such was Unquowa in 1637, 
when a decisive battle was fought, within its borders, between 
a detachment of colonists and the remnant of the tribe of the 
Pequots. The habitat of the latter was the extreme eastern 
section of the Colony, reaching from the Niantic river to Ehode 
Island, where it had been guilty of numerous unprovoked at- 
tacks upon the dwellings and hamlets of the settlers. Driven 
to desperation, the colonists attacked their foes, destroyed 
their fort at Groton, and when they fled, pursued, overtook, 
and defeated them again, near where the Pequot Library 
building now stands. f 

*Long after the settlement of Unquowa, tlie bears, the wolves and the wild-cats 
made frequent and ferocious attacks upon the Inhabitants. On August saod, 1666, 
" The Townsmen order that whoever kills a bear in the bounds of the town shall 
be paid fifty shillings for each old, and for cubs twenty shillings each." Child : 
An Old New England Town, p. 2S. 

tThe symbol of brutism is war ; of civilization, a library. The Pequot Library 
picturesque architecturally, containing on Its shelves 15.000 well selected volumes, 
now marks the spot where the Pequots were exterminated. Over Its portal, cut in 
Imperishable granite, are these figures, 1637-1887. How many, as they go In and 
out, note their deep signification? 



4 EARLY HISTORY OF UNQUOWA. 

government which at that period was in the air ; which to-day 
is just as strongly a characteristic of the Anglo-Saxon race. 
They were seekers after pure doctrine, pure politics, pure wor- 
ship, pure life. They desired to solve for all time the most 
difficult problem that touches the secular life of man — how to- 
produce a perfect civic condition ; to get as near Sir ThomaS' 
More's Utopian ideal as is possible on this mundane sphere. 

The environment of these worthies, we must remember, was 
not as helpful for the achievement of such a great aim, as is 
ours. Three hundred years s^go the world was literally in its 
swaddling-clothes. It is really surprising, when we look into- 
it, how modern all that makes up the comfort of present liv- 
ing is. We feel ourselves aggrieved to-day, if we have not on 
our breakfast-tables, all that mankind said and did yesterday. 
The Puritans had no newspapers, no steam transit, no tele- 
graph system, nor telephone. It was the middle of the seven- 
teenth century before stage-coaches were introduced in Eng- 
land, and then it took four days to convey a passenger at the 
cost of four pounds, from London to York. Many lines did 
not even try to run in winter. The roads were so narrow that 
the Dover coach was drawn by six horses tandem, while the 
coachman walked by their side. The first carriage ever used 
in England, was invented by a Hollander for Queen Elizabeth. 
Erasmus tells us that salt beef and strong ale constituted 
the chief part of this great sovereign's breakfast ; that similar 
refreshments were served her in bed for supper ; and that, as 
forks were not invented, she ate with her fingers. There is 
hardly a thriving shopkeeper who does not occupy at the close 
of this nineteenth century, a house which English nobles in 
1650, would have envied. Here in New England, life was even 
more primitive. There were no post-offices in Connecticut 
until 1790. Communication with the great centres was kept up 
by means of post-horses. "It was an exciting time when John 
Perry, the carrier of the mail, the man of news, the individual 
who kept Fairfield in touch with Boston, Stamford and interven- 



EARLY HISTORY OF UNQUOWA. 5 

iag towns, arrived and handed over mail and news together. He 
was appointed to office in 1687. The whole trip was made 
once a month during the winter, and once in three weeks dur- 
ing the summer."* Floors were carpetless; walls bare of plas- 
ter, the rafters showing; no pictures adorned the walls ; illum- 
ination was obtained from candles made of tallow, and mould- 
ed in the house. The cold in those days was intense. One 
writer mentions, " the bread freezing at the Lord's Table." 
Slavery flourished until a late date. There are few wills that, 
up to the beginning of this century,do not contain bequests of 
slaves. In 1790 there were 2,759, and in 1840, quite a recent 
date, 17 were still living. Such were the primitive conditions 
out of which the highly civilized Fairfield that we know so 
well, has emerged. 

The Town of Fairfield extends from the Bridgeport line on 
the east, to the Sasco river on the west — a distance of about 
six miles ; and from Long Island Sound to the boundary of 
the town of Easton on the north. The ground is delightfully 
varied, consisting of plains and lofty hills, from which en- 
trancing views of the blue water ax'e obtained. The popula- 
tion in 1890 was 3,868. 
•Child : An Old New England Town, p. .37. 



CHAPTER II. 



Sketch of the Ecclesiastical Situation in Connecticut 
FEOM 1638, A. D., to 1818, A. D. 

To understand clearly and fully the difficulties with which 
those in the Town of Fairfield who favored the Church of 
England had to contend, it is necessary that the ecclesiasti- 
cal situation in Connecticut from its colonization in the first 
half of the seventeenth century, to the adoption of the new 
Constitution in the early part of the nineteenth, be set forth. 

When Roger Ludlow and his companions settled in 
Fairfield, the only religious organization that was per- 
mitted to exist, was of the Congregational Faith and 
Order. As far as possible it was intended to be a stern, 
unyielding protest, against everything churchly with which 
the colonists had been familiar in their life beyond the 
sea.* One of its marked features was the close alliance it 
created between civil and ecclesiastical affairs. f The township 
and the church were one.J At the public meetings, matters 

»It Is not unfair to assume tliat Roger Ludlow himself at last tired of the situa- 
tion lie had helped to create. In 1654, incensed ostensibly at the interference of 
New Haven to prevent his town, Fairfield, from waging an Independent warfare 
against the Dutch, he went to Virginia, ( a Colony wholly settled by members of 
the Church of England,) taking the records of the town with him. It is not 
known when or where he died. Johnston : History of Connecticut, p. 20. 

tManifestly the aim of the pilgrims was the construction of a theocratic state 
which should be to them, all that the theocracy of Moses, and Joshua, and Samuel 
had been to the Jews in Old Testament days. In such a scheme there was no room for 
religious liberty as we understand it. The state they were to found was to consist 
of a united body of believers, and in it there was apparently no more room for 
heretics than there was in Rome or Madrid." Fiske: The Beginnings of New 
England, p. 146. 

+For nearly a century, the same persons In each town considered and decided 
ecclesiastical affairs indifferently, acting as a town or a church meeting. The 
same body laid the taxes, called the minister, and provided for his salary. 
Johnston : History of Connecticut, p. 60. 



SKETCH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL SITUATION. 7 

pertaining to both, wei'e discussed and passed upon. Thus 
the different town charges, the church, and the school went 
hand in hand, and every inhabitant was compelled by the law 
to contribute towards the maintenance of each. The result, 
in a brief space of time, was open revolt on the part of those 
whoj where their religious preferences were concerned, re- 
solved to act independently. As far back as 1664, William 
Pitkin, and others, signing themselves, "Professors of the 
Protestant Christian Religion, members of the Church of 
England, and subjects to our Sovereign Lord, Charles the 
Second, by God's grace, King of England," addressed the 
General Assembly at the October session "declaring their 
aggrievances," and "petitioning for a redress of the same." 
Their grievances were that they were not under the care of 
those who " administered in a due manner " the Sacraments 
of Baptism and the Lord's Supper ; that they "were as sheep 
scattered, having no shepherd ; '" and they asked for the 
establishment of " some wholesome law " by virtue of which 
they might both claim and receive their privileges ; and 
furthermore, they humbly requested, " that for the future no 
law might be of any force to make them pay or contribute to 
the maintenance of any minister, or officer, in the church that 
will neglect or refuse to baptize their children and take care 
of them"' as church members. In 1690, a considerable num- 
ber of the freeholders of Stratford, " professors of the Faith 
of the Church of England, asked permission to worship God 
in the way of their forefathers.'"* The ranks of such dissi- 
dents, no doubt by this time had largely increased, for com- 
munication between this and the mother-country had become 
so frequent, that additions to the population were constantly 
being made, and of these the Church of England must have 

•As the number of colonists Increased, dissatisfaction Increased -wltli them. It 
often took the shape of complaints that the children of such persons were refused 
baptism ; but It may be suspected fairly that the natural wish to share In the con- 
trol of the church whose expenses they helped to pay, had a great deal to do with 
It. Johnston: History of Connecticut, p. 236. 



8 SKETCH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL SITUATION. 

had a fair share. Petitions and strivings for liberty to 
worship God " according to the dictates of one's conscience," 
were though, of no avail. Church and State were, at this 
period, as closely connected as they ever were in England. 
The ecclesiastical and civil powers were blended together, 
and liberty of conscience, and the theory of human rights 
existed more in name than in reality. The people were 
required to support the Congregational Order, which was the 
Order of Faith established by the civil government. Nor was 
this all. None had liberty to worship publicly in any other 
way, nor could men vote or hold any civil office, unless they 
were members of some Congregational church.* This unwise 
as well as unnatural policy, was persisted in until 1708. In 
that year the General Assembly of Connecticut passed what 
was termed the "Act of Toleration,'' by which all persons 
who " soberly dissented " from the worship and ministry by 
law established, that is, the Congregational Faith and Order, 
were permitted to enjoy the same liberty of conscience with 
the dissenters in England, under the act of William and 
Mary. 

That act exempted dissenters from punishment for non- 
conformity to the Established Church, but did not exempt 
them from taxation for its maintenance. And so, by appear- 
ing before the County Court, and there in legal forms declar- 
ing their "sober dissent," any persons in the Colony of Con- 
necticut could obtain permission to have public worship 
their own way ; but they were still obliged to pay for the 
support of the Congregational churches in the place of 
their respective residences. It was this latter provision 
that practically negatived the Act of Toleration. How could 
Churchmen of limited means, no matter how ardent their love 
for their own Church, contribute at the same time for the 
upholding of a form of religion, for which, under the circum- 

•Beardsley : History of the Episcopal Cliurcli in Connecticut, vol. 1, p. 8. 



SKETCH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL SITUATION. \) 

stances, they felt no sympathy 1 Add to this, the innate feel- 
ing that ever impels us to resist being driven against our wills, 
especially in the sphere of religion, and we have at once an 
explanation of the stalwartness of those who because of their 
resistance to the law, were haled to prison. In the Town of 
Fairfield there were many who were subjected to this penalty. 
Rev. Samuel Johnson, Rector of Stratford, in February, 1727, 
writes to the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the 
Gospel, at London : "I have just come from Fairfield, where 
I have been to visit a considerable number of our people in 
prison for their taxes to the dissenting ministers, to comfort 
and encourage them under their sufferings. But, verily, 
unless we can have relief and be delivered from this unreason- 
able treatment, I fear I must give up the cause, and our 
Church must sink and come to nothing. There are thirty-five 
heads of families in Fairfield, who, all of them, expect what 
these have suffered : and though I have endeavored to gain 
the compassion and favor of the government, yet can I avail 
nothing ; and both I and my people grow weary of our lives 
under our poverty and oppression." Nor was this an isolated 
case. Letters sent to the Venerable Society by the mission- 
aries, frequently contained complaints of persecutions because 
of their Religion. We adduce only one instance of what took 
place at Stratford: "On the 12th day of December, 1709, 
some of their officers, about midnight, did apprehend and 
seize the bodies of Timothy Titharton, one of our Church 
Wardens, and John Marcy, one of the Vestrymen, and forced 
them to travel, under very bad circumstances, in the winter 
season, and at that unseasonable hour of night, to the com- 
mon gaol, where felons are confined, being eight miles dis- 
tant, not allowing them so much as fire or candle-light for 
their comfort, and there continued them until they paid such 
sums as by the gaoler was demanded, which was on the 15th 
day of the same month." 



10 SKETCH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL SITUATION. 

On May 15, 1727, a petition was presented to the Assembly, 
signed by Moses Ward and Samuel Lyon, Church Wardens, 
and Dougal Mackenzie, John Lockwood, Nathan Adams, Ben- 
jamin Sturges, and others, in the name and behalf of all the 
rest of their brethren," stating that ten of them had been 
lately imprisoned for taxes, at Fairfield, praying that the sums 
of money so taken from them might be restored ; and declar- 
ing that if their grievances might be redressed, they should 
" aim at nothing but to live peaceably and as becometh 
Christians among their dissenting brethren." And in re- 
sponse to this petition, an act was passed, providing that the 
taxes collected fx*om Episcopalians for the support of religion, 
might, under certain circumstances, be paid to the Episcopal 
missionaries instead of the Congregational ministers. This 
movement of the early Churchmen of Fairfield, was the first 
effective step ever taken towards the establishment of religious 
liberty in Connecticut ; a result which it required nearly 
another century to bring to pass. Nor did their efforts to 
gain their end stop at this point. The above petition was 
followed up by another acknowledging the " great wisdom 
and Christian compassion " of the Assembly, and requesting 
liberty to manage their own affairs as a Society, according to 
the canons and rubrics of the Church of England, and ex- 
pressiug their adherence to that Church, " let the difficulties 
be never so great." But this petition was rejected. 

Afterwards, in 1738, when the Legislature was about to 
sell the land of several townships, which had been set apart 
for the maintenance of the Gospel, six hundred and thirty- 
six Episcopalians, heads of families, in nine parishes or mis- 
sions, supplied by seven ministers, requested, by a petition* 
duly presented, that a small share of the avails of the laud 

•A most manly memorial "to the Honorable the Governor, Council and Representa- 
tives In his Majesty's English Colony of Connecticut," very modestly and courte- 
ously entltlel by Its authors, " the humble address of the members and professor 
of that part of Christ's Church called the Church of England, living In and under 
the government of the said Coiony." Eccl. Affairs, vol. x, 324, 



SKETCH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL SITUATION. 11 

to be sold, and of the funds from other sources for the same 
purpose, might be appropriated to them. But this, like every 
other attempt of Churchmen to secure to themselves equal 
rights in ecclesiastical affairs, met with an unfavorable recep- 
tion at the hands of the Assembly. 

Finally, in the year 1746, the Episcopalians, who had been 
allowed under former laws of the Colony, to vote with their 
Congregational neighbors in the meetings of the towns and 
societies by which the taxes for the maintenance of religion 
were laid, lost that privilege by an act of the Legislature, 
which required that none but Congregationalists should vote 
in such meetings. Against such partial legislation, those in 
sympathy with the Church of England, again entered their 
protest.* 

All of these acts of the Colonial Legislature are interesting 
and important, as indications of the state and progress of 
Episcopal Parishes in Connecticut, from the year 1725 to the 
year 1750. The last instance, that of 1747, which is very 
singular, may probably be best accounted for by the fact, 
that the Episcopalians had become so numerous in some 
j)laces as to be quite formidable in the position of a third 
party, holding the balance of power, whenever divisions arose, 
as they often did in those days, among the Congregation- 
alists themselves t 

Harsh treatment of Churchmen, though, did not cease even 
in the latter half of the century. In the proceedings of the 
Venerable Society some years before the American Revolution, 
in connection with the statement : " There is at this present 
time, a number of ministers of the Church of England in 
prison on account of their persecution from the dissenters," 

*Tlius did the Churchmen of Connecticut occupy, thirty years before the Revo- 
lution, a position strikingly illustrative of the grand fundamental principle of that 
great movement ; namely, resistance to " taxation without representation." 

t Rev. N. E. Cornwall : Historical Discourse . p. 26. 



12 SKETCH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL SITUATION. 

this remark is added, " these sort of complaints come now by 
almost every ship."* 

While the successful issue of the war of the Revolution 
bettered somewhat the status of Churchmen, pains were taken 
to keep the control of the government in the hands of the 
ruling Order, and to shape things with reference to the per- 
petuity of its influence. The Congi'egational body was as 
yet the State Church. Every individual was still subject to 
personal liability for its maintenance. This continued until 
1818, when the spirit of toleration that was abroad, led to the 

*In proof of the Intolerance and persecution to wlilcli the early Churchmen of 
Connecticut were subjected, we cite as follows. The history of the Church In Con- 
necticut, cannot be understood without such retrospect. We give our authorities: 

In the early settlement of the New Haven Colony, after enacting that "none 
shall be admitted to the free Burgesses In any of the Plantations wlthla this juris- 
diction, for the future, but such planters as are members of some orotherof the ap- 
proved Churches In New England," and that "the Court shall, with all care and 
dllllgence, provide lor the maintenance of the purity of Keliglon ana suppress Vie 
contrary" ; It was enacted in April, 1644, " that the Judicial Laws of God, as they 
were delivered by Moses, * * * shall be a rule to all the Courts In this juris- 
diction." 

The following are specimens of their laws : 

" It is ordered and decreed by this Court * * • If any person within this juris- 
tlon shall, without just and necessary cause, withdraw iiimsell from hearing the 
public ministry of the Word,afier due means of conviction used, he shall forfeit for 
his absence from every such public meeting, nve shillings." ''And If any man 
refuse to pay meet proportion, that then he be rated by authority in some 
just and equal way: and if, after this, any man withhold or delay due payment, 
the Civil Poirer to be exercised as in other just debts." 

For behaving contemptuously toward the Word preached, or the Messengers 
thereof, it was ordered, "'And if a second time they break forth into the like con- 
temptuous carriages, they shall either pay five pounds to the public treasury, or 
stand two hours openly upon a block or stool, four feet high, upon a lecture day, 
with a paper fixed on his breast, written with capital letters, An Open and Ob- 
stinate Contemner OF God's Holy Ordinances." "Trumbull's Colonial Records 
of Connecticut," pp. 524,545, 524. 

These laws were not a dead letter. The Rev. Samuel Seabury, afterwards Bishop 
of Connecticut, was seized In another Colony, at Westchester, N. Y., " dragged like 
a felon seventy miles irom home " to New Haven by an armed band ; and there 
" after firing two cannon and hurraing," he was placed in close confinement, and 
treated with extreme severity. MSS. State Papers of Conn. vol. 1, doc. 430. 

The laws of the Massiichussetts Colony were still more Intolerant. The penalty 
affixed to those laws was " banishment on pain of death ; " and the laws them- 
selves were executed with the most studied and horrible cruelty. See Mass. Bay 
Col. Laws, Ch. 1, Sec. 11 ; Ch. 11, Sec. ix and x. 



SKETCH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL SITUATION. 13 

inception of a movement, which abolished forever in the 
Commonwealth, those laws which gave to the majority un- 
equal civil and religious privileges. The Old Charter, granted 
by Charles the Second, under which Connecticut had been 
governed for one hundred and fifty years, but which time had 
shown to be honeycombed with defects, was supplanted by vote 
of the people, on the 4th day of July, with a broad and liberal 
Constitution, which abolished utterly the connection of the 
existing ecclesiastical system with the State. Religious pro- 
fession and worship henceforth, were to be free to all, and no 
sect was to be preferred by law. No person was to be com- 
pelled to join, associate with, support, or remain a member of, 
any religious body; and all religious bodies were to be en- 
tirely equal before the law. The last restriction upon the 
consciences of the people of Connecticut was now removed, 
and religion in whatever form it presented itself was left, for 
all time, to their free acceptance or deliberate rejection. 

The hardships which Churchmen were subjected to, 
which we have thus considered, form a startling pic- 
ture for us to contemplate, who live at the close of 
the nineteenth century ; yet it has an explanation that 
readily occurs to every impartial student of history. 
Such persecution for religious feeling was the outcome of a 
state of things, that had slowly, but surely, grown upon the 
Christian world. In the early ages the Church had to endure 
persecution ; then was the age of the martyrs. In the later 
centuries the Church had to struggle against heresies ; then 
was the age of the controversialists. Now, the danger of 
controversy, necessary as it often is for the defense of the Truth, 
is that it is apt to arouse a persecuting, vindictive temper. 
The man invested with power, the over-man, flushed with 
zeal, naturally endeavors to make the under-man think as he 
thinks ; and if he rebels, is tempted to use force to accomplish 
his end. This is where Churchmen erred in the past. 



14 SKETCH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL SITUATION. 

Heresy and Schism came to be treated as crimes for which 
the prison aud the stake were adjudged to be the rightful 
penalties. 

But " curses come home to roost." Those who were perse- 
cuted learned the same lesson ; and, in turn, became perse- 
cutors. When their time came, the Calvinists at Geneva, 
and the Independents in the Colonies, proved they could 
be even more ruthless than their opponents. 

Neal, in his " History of New England,'' says: "It must be 
allowed that, when the Puritans were in power, they carried 
their resentments too far." Bishop Burnet testifies : " It were 
as easy, as it would be invidious, to show that both Presby- 
terians and Independents have carried the principle of rigor 
in the point of conscience much higher, and have acted more 
implacably upon it, than ever the Church of England has 
done, even in her angriest fits." 

Let us, with one accord, thank God that those old days of 
ecclesiastical tyranny have passed away, we trust never to re- 
turn in any part of our land ! In this age the spirit and 
language of conciliation are known and appreciated. Uphold 
ing the Faith and Order of any particular religious body, by 
the secular arm, is not accounted to-day, a wise or seemly 
method by which to bring about unity of belief or action. 
We have learned that there can be no way to accomplish that 
desired end, except God's way, and that includes always sympa- 
thy and comprehension. The Truth of God must be carried to 
hearts and consciences by the teachings of those who are 
filled with it, ; and the love and faith which it begets and 
fosters. As Churchmen, looking out upon the broad page of 
human experience, let us be just, and utter no harsh or bitter 
word about the narrowness peculiar to the days of old.* We our- 
selves, as well as those who differed from us, in the seven- 
teenth and eighteenth centuries, when opportunity served, 

•When In 1691, King William sent out Sir Lionel Copley to be royal governor of 
Maryland, taxes were straightway laid for the support of the Church of EDgland. 



SKETCH OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL SITUATION. 15 

were alike intolerant. When we bad the upper hand, we 
sought by every available means to enforce conformity ; when 
it came to be the turn of those who had opposed us, they sought 
by equally violent processes, to maintain the position they had 
adopted. As has been foi'cibly said, " We cannot complain 
of Dissenters, as if mere Schisms accounted for their existence, 
when, in fact, it was to an extent it is difficult to exaggerate, 
the sin of our Church which caused separation to seem right 
to purer consciences in the past ; when, in fact, it is to non-con- 
formists that we owe, in times when darkness had almost settled 
down upon us, the revival and maintenance of the very ideas 
of Religion ; when, once more, God has so manifestly blessed 
their spiritual life. Let us never forget that a belief in a 
valid Church and Ministry is not in any logical connection 
with the quite unjustifiable denial that God can act, and has 
acted in irregular channels. God is not tied to his Sacra- 
ments, even though as men, if we know the Truth, we are 
bound to seek this fellowship in accordance with His cove- 
nant, and only so."* 

and tlie further immigration of Romanists was prolilblted under Iieavy penalties. 
Tills measure involving legislation lor tlie support of a Churcn of wlilcli only a 
small part of the population were memt)ers, was as unpopular with Puritans as 
with Papists. Those of the former who had worked zealously to undermine the 
Roman Church, had not bargained for such a result as this. John Flske : Old.. 
Virginia, vol. 11, p. 162. 
♦Canon Gore : The Church and Dissent. 



CHAPTER III. 



OEGANIZATION OF THE VENERABLE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION 
OF THE GOSPEL, 1701, A. D. : VISIT OF ITS FIRST MIS- 
SIONARIES, KEITH AND TALBOT, TO THE COLONIES, 
1702, A. D. 




Ret. George Keith, M. A. 



In England, as far back as the reign of William and Mary, 
deep^interest was felt in the spiritual needs of the American 



VISIT OF MESSRS. KEITH AND TALBOT. 17 

Colonies, which were then beginning to loom into prominence. 
New England, especially, was thought to be in great danger 
from various sectaries, who branching off from the new form 
of religion by law established, felt themselves free to teach and 
hold grievous forms of error. A writer of the time, declares that 
that region already " swarmed " with Antinomians, Familists, 
Conformatists, Seekers, Gortonists, and others of equally 
startling nomenclature. The aborigines, as well as the negroes 
who had been introduced in large numbers, also came in for 
a share of the general attention and sympathy. In 1701, 
this widesjjread interest culminated in the formation of the 
Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in 
Foreign Parts ; an institution, which still flourishes with 
even more vigor than that which characterized its in- 
fancy. Its charter ran : 

"William the Third, King of Great Britain and Ireland, 
Defender of the Faith, greeting : 

"Whereas we are informed that in many of our Plantations 
and Colonies beyond the sea, belonging to our Kingdom of 
England, the provision for ministers is very mean, whereby 
there is a great lack of the administration of the Word and 
Sacraments, causing atheism to abound for the want of 
learned and orthodox ministers, and Romish priests and 
Jesuits are encouraged to proselyte . . . We therefore em- 
power these, our right trusty subjects ; " then follow a 

hundred of the noblest names in England, with the Arch- 
bishop of Canterbury at the head, constituting the Society. 
Its popularity was great from the outset. One member gave 
a thousand pounds for the work ; another nine hundred for 
teaching the negroes. One gave to it his estate in the Bar- 
badoes to found a college ; and another a present of books 
and maps. Archbishop Tennison left it one thousand pounds 
towards founding two American Bishoprics. The proprietors 
of Vermont set apart townships for its use. Evelyn enters 



18 



VISIT OF MESSRS. KEITH AND TALBOT. 



upon the images of his diary that he had promised twenty 
pounds a year towards it.* 

The object of the Society, set forth in the beginning, and 




TUK M \1 "I lll^ \ tNtKABI F '^OtlHY. 

from which, so far, it has never yet deviated, was declared to 
be the spread of the Worship of God according to the man- 

♦McConnell : History American Episcopal Cliurcli, p. 99. 



VISIT OF MESSRS. KEITH AND TALBOT. 19 

ner of the Church of Eagland. On entering upon this work, 
it shortly divided it into three branches ; the spiritual oversight 
of those English emigrants who had settled in the Colonies ; 
the conversion of the Indians ; and also of the African slaves. 
Of these three, the first asserted itself as the most important, 
not only because the settlers being brethren and country- 
men, had the first claim upon its consideration, but 
because as soon as the formation of the Society became known, 
this element began to be clamorous for assistance. From 
South and North Carolina, from Virginia, from Maryland, 
from Pennsj'lvauia, from New Jersey, from New York, from 
New England, the Macedonian cry was heard, " Come over 
and help us." It thus became so evident that a wide-spread 
dissatisfaction with the existing religious situation prevailed, 
that the Society determined to send an experienced mission- 
ary' to travel over and preach to the people in the several 
Colonies, who should desire to listen to him ; and if j^ossible 
aid them in establishing permanent organizations. A large 
number of those in the Colonies, at this period, had been bap- 
tized and confirmed in the Church, before they left England. 
Tempted by the prospect of great material advantages they 
had left their homes, without calculating the loss they were 
to sustain in being separated from the Ministry, Worship 
and Sacraments with which they were familiar. Had they 
been of the opinion that religions differences were of little 
importance, the situation in which they found themselves would 
not have troubled them greatly. But they regarded the matter 
from another standpoint. Nothing less than the ministra- 
tions of a clergyman of the Church of England would satisfy 
their desires. Assenting to what seemed an imperative de- 
mand the Venerable Society proceeded to act ; the Rev. 
George Keith was the missionary selected to visit the Col- 
onies on a " mission of observation,'" to discover and study 
the state of religion therein, and to report where mission- 
aries could be sent and congregations established. 



20 VISIT OF MESSES. KEITH AND TALBOT. 

His commission was, " to seek the scattered families of the 
Church, and awaken the people to a sense of their religious 
duties." The selection was an admirable one. Those who 
knew him well, declared Mr. Keith to be "a pioneer and propa- 
gandist by nature." Earlier in life, while a member of the 
Society of Friends, he had been sent to the Colony of Penn- 
sylvania, to aid its founder, but discerning dangerous tendencies 
in the tenets of the Quakers, and foreseeing their results, he 
severed his connection with his associates, and returned to 
England, not long after to take Holy Orders in the Church. 

In April, 1702, he started on his mission to the Colonies. 
He came in an English warship, which brought the Govern- 
ors of New England and New Jersey to their provinces. The 
Rev. John Talbot came with them as chaplain. With them 
also was the Rev. Patrick Gordon, who was sent out as mis- 
sionary to Jamaica, Long Island. 

The passengers seem to have been congenial to each other. 
Mr. Keith, writing to the Venerable Society, says: "Gov- 
ernor Dudley was so civil to Mr. Gordon and me, that he 
caused us to eat at his table all the voyage, and his conversa- 
tion was both pleasant and instructive, insomuch that the 
great cabin of the ship was like a college for good discourse, 
both in matters theological and philosophical." There was 
daily service, in which both the passengers and crew joined 
heartily and devoutly. Mr. Keith mentions the strictness of 
the discipline which prevailed upon the ship, and describes 
the punishment of the crew for " profane swearing," which 
was " causing them to carry a heavy wooden collar about 
their necks for an hour, that was both painful and shameful."* 

Mr. Talbot, the chaplain, became so enthusiastic about Mr. 
Keith and his mission, that he begged to become a fellow 
laborer and a companion in his travels. His proposal was 
accepted and in due time, at the solicitation of the Rev. Mr. 

"Ms. Letters, S. P. G., vol. i, p. 9. 



VISIT OF MESSRS. KEITH AND TALBOT. 21 

Oordon, the Venerable Society appointed him Mr. Keith's 
assistant. Their ship reached Boston in June, 1702, and 
after a few days the two men began their journey. They 
went from hamlet to hamlet, and house to house, preaching 
wherever they could gain a hearing, baptizing hundreds, 
gathering the wandering sheep into oi'ganized folds, and 
making provision to build churches wherever that work could 
be done. 

Everywhere there were numbers who cordially welcomed 
them. In a letter addressed by Mr. Keith to " the Archbishop 
of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, and all others, the 
Honorable Members of the Society,'' dated the 29th of 
November, 1702, and giving an account of his labors since his 
arrival in Boston, on the 11th of June preceding, he says : 
" In divers places of New England where we traveled, we 
found many well affected to the Church, not only the people 
but several Presbyterian ministers in New England, who re- 
oeived us as brethren, and requested us to preach to their 
congregations, as accordingly we did. These were Mr, 
John Cotton ( a grandson to old John Cotton ) the Presby- 
terian minister at Hampton, where I preached twice, and Mr. 
Talbot ouce, having very great auditories ; Mr. Cushin, Pres- 
byterian minister at Salisbury, eight miles distant from 
Hampton westward, where we both preached on a Sunday, 
and had a great auditory ; Mr. Gurdon Saltonstall at New 
London, fifty miles west from Narragansetts, where we both 
preached on a Sunday ; the people generally well affected, 
and those three ministers aforesaid, all worthy gentlemen, 
who declared their owning the Church of England, and that 
if they were in England, they would join in external com- 
munion with her : and were there a Bishop in America, we 
doubt not but several would receive ordination from him."* 

*Claurcli Record, vol. 1, no. xvli. 



22 VISIT OF MESSRS. KEITH AND TALBOT. 

This very circumstantial account clearly gives to the people 
of New London the honor of tirst welcoming in Connecticut 
the missionaries sent forth by the Venerable Society. But 
thei'e is no doubt Messrs. Keith and Talbot preached in all 
the principal places of the Colonies. Humphrey says : *" They 
traveled over and preached in all the Governments and 
Dominions belonging to the Crown of England, betwixt North 
Carolina and Piscataway Eiver in New England, inclusively,, 
being ten distinct Governments ; and extending in length 
800 miles."' At all events, the reception given to Mr. Keith 
and his companion, reveals these facts : that even at that 
early date, there was a strong drift towards Episcopacy ; that 
the Congregational system, although in operation for more 
than half a century, without any interruption or hindrance, 
had begun to prove unsatisfactory to many of its prominent 
supporters, and that for a permanent settlement of the re- 
ligious question, the people, if allowed to choose, would prefer 
the ecclesiastical system of the Church of England. Of a 
visitation of Messrs. Keith and Talbot to Fairfield we have no 
satisfactory evidence. One tradition relates that they stopped 
there for a brief period, as they journeyed from New London 
to New York ; another that they crossed the Sound from 
New London to Long Island in a sloop which they hired. 
If New London was the only town in Connecticut visited 
by them, somehow they obtained in a brief space of time 
ample information concerning the whole Colony. Wri- 
ting home a few months afterwards, they reported of 
Connecticut that it contained " thirty thousand souls in 
about thirty-three towns, all Dissenters, supplied with 
ministers and schools of their own persuasion." One general 
result accrued from their protracted itineracy : numbers 
again had a taste of the worship of the Book of Common 
Prayer ; their courage to stand up in its behalf was fortified ; 
"while their longing for a settled ministry among them was 

•History S. P. G., p. 20. 



VISIT OF MESSES. KEITH AND TALBOT. 23 

aroused. The proof of this is found in the announcement the 
Venerable Society was shortly compelled to make : " that it 
was unable to respond favorably to one half of the appeals 
from the Colonies, presented to it for its consideration." 

After an absence of two years, Mr. Keith returned to 
England, and became incumbent of Edburtou, in the pleasant 
County of Sussex. It was in March, 1716, that he finished 
his earthly labors, and the simple record in the parish register 
under date of March 29th, reads : " Then the Rev. Mr. 
Keith, Rector of Edburtou, was buried." 

The Venerable Society sent out no missionary more 
successful and self-sacrificing, than this godly man. He 
began the work and laid the foundations on which others 
built. Mr. Talbot was an effective and faithful coadjutor. 
The two labored together, harmoniously and enthusiastically, 
throughout their extended tours. After Mr. Keith's de- 
parture, Mr. Talbot became Rector of St. Mary's Church, 
Burlington, New Jersey, of which he was the founder. When 
he retired he was the oldest missionary in the Colonies, and 
in influence he stood first among the Churchmen of his day.* 

*Mr. Talbot lias been the subject of a curious story. It is alleged tliat after twenty 
years of faithful service at Burlington, he went to England, and was consecrated 
to the Episcopate by the non-juring Bishops. McConnell : History of the Ameri- 
can Episcopal Church, p. lO-'i says: "Anderson, Hawks, Wilberforce, and 
Caswell aftirm that he did. The Rev. Dr. Hills, in his 'History of tlie Church In 
Burlington,' discusses the same subject exhaustively and maintains the same 
assertion. In Vol. I. of Bishop Perry's ' History of the American Episcopal church' 
is a Monograph by Rev. John Fulton, D. D., in which he re-examines the whole 
case, and arrives at the conclusion, that Mr. Talbot never received such consecra- 
tion ; and that the tradition arose froni confounding his name with that of another 
person." 



CHAPTER IV. 



The Rev. George Muirson ; the Rev. Messrs Talbot, Sharpe, 

AND Bridge ; and the Rev. George Pigot, Officiate 

AT Fairfield, 1706-1723, a. d. 

In 1704, the Yeuerable Society established a mission at 
Rye, in New York, and sent over the Rev. George Muirson to 
take charge of it. He wrote thus to the Society in 1706 : 
"I have baptized about two hundred young and old, but 
mostly grown persons. I have now above forty communi- 
cants, though I had only six when I first administered the 
Holy Sacrament."" The fact of Mr. Muirson's settlement at 
IRje, and his successful labors there, soon became known in 
many of the shore-towns of Connecticut, and repeated and 
urgent petitions to visit them were sent by the Church-people. 
Possessed with the missionary spirit of St. Paul, Mr. Muir- 
son determined to comply with their request. In the sum- 
mer of 1706, in company with Colonel Caleb Heathcote, a 
zealous and affluent layman, at that time residing in West- 
chester county, he set out upon a journey, which it was pur- 
posed should extend as far as the Housatouic river. They rode 
to Fairfield, and thence to Stratford. The missionary, though 
*' threatened with prison and hard usage,'" preached to lai'ge 
congregations, and " baptized about twenty-four, mostly 
grown people."' "Writing to the Society, on his return, he 
says : "I have been lately in the Government of Connecticut, 
where I observe some people well affected to the Church ; so 
that I am assured an itinerant missionary might do great 
service in that Province. Some of their ministers have 
privately told me that, had we a Bishop among us they would 



THE REV. GEORGE MUIRSON. 25 

conform and receive Holy Orders, from which, as well as on 
the Continent, the necessity of a Bishop will appear." 

Col. Heathcote was so favorably impressed by what he saw 
and heard during this visit, that he hastened to give his im- 
pressions concerning- it to the Venerable Society. He says : 
" We found the places we visited very ignorant of the Consti- 
tution of our Church, and tlierefore enemies to it. The chief 
towns are furnished with ministei's, mainly Independents, 
denying baptism to the children of all such as are not in full 
communion with them : there are many thousands in that 
Government unbaptized. The ministers were very uneasy at 
our coming amongst then, and abundance of pains were taken 
to terrify the people from hearing Mr. Muirson. But it 
availed nothing, for notwithstanding all their endeavors, we 
had a very great congregation, and indeed infinitely beyond 
expectation. The people were wonderfully surprised at the 
order of our Church, expecting to have heard and seen some 
strange thing, by the accounts and representations of it that 
their teachers had given them." * 

In a later letter, dated Scarsdale Manor, Nov. 9, 1706, 
Colonel Heathcote enters upon a discussion of the general 
aff lirs of the Church in New York, New Jersey and Connecti- 
cut. He says : But bordering on Connecticut there is no 
part of the Continent, from whence the Church can have so 
fair an opportunity to make impressions upon the Inde- 
pendents in that Government, who ai*e settled by their laws, 
from Rye Parish to Boston Colony, which is about 35 leagues, 
in w^hich there are abundance of people and places. As for 
Boston Colon}', I never was in it, so can say little of it. But 
for Connecticut, I am and have been pretty conversant : and 
always w^as as much in their good graces as any man. And 
now I am upon that subject, I will give the best account I 
can of that Colony. It contains in length about 140 miles, 
and has in it about 40 towns, in which there is a Presbyterian 

•Humphrey: History of tlie Venerable Society, p. 118. 



26 THE EEV. GEORGE MUIRSON. 

or Independeut minister settled by their law ; to whom the 
people are obliged to pay, notwithstanding many times they 
are not ordained ; of which I have known several examples. 
The number of people there, I believe, is about 2,400 souls. 
They have an abundance of odd kind of laws, to prevent any 
from dissenting from their church, and endeavor to keep the 
people in as much blindness and unacquaintedness with any 
other religion as possible ; but in a more particular manner, 
the Church, looking upon her as the most dangerous enemy 
they have to grapple withall, and abundance of pains is taken 
to make the ignorant think as bad as possible of her. And I 
really believe that more than half of the people of that Gov- 
ernment, think our Church is little better than the Papists, 
and the truth is, they improve everything against us. Yet I 
dare aver, that there is not a much greater necessity of having 
the Christian religion preached in its true light anywhere 
than amongst them. Many, if not the greater number of 
them, being in a little better than in a state of heathenism ; 
having never been baptized or admitted to the Holy Com- 
munion."* Concluding his letter, Colonel Heathcote recom- 
mends that Rev. Mr. Muirson be sent on a second missionary 
tour throughout the Colony. It was under such circum- 
stances that the Episcopal Church was introduced in form, 
both at Fairfield, and at Stratford. The following year, Mr. 
Muirson came again to Fairfield by invitation of the Church- 
people there, and preached to a large congregation in a 
private house, and baptized a number of adults and children. 
Concerning this visit he wrote to the Society : " The Inde- 
pendents used means to obstruct me. The people were like- 
wise threatened with imprisonment, and a forfeiture of five 
pounds for coming to hear me. It would require more time 
than you would willingly bestow on these lines, to express 
how rigidly and severely they treat our people, by taking 
their estates by distress when they do not willingly pay ta 
» Bolton : History ot Westchester County, vol. 11, p. 106. 



THE REV. GEORGE MUIRSON. 27 

support their miuisters ; and though every Churchman in 
that Colony pays his rate for the building and repairing their 
meeting-houses, yet they are so set against us, that they 
deny us the use of them though on the week days. All the 
Churchmen of this Colony request is that they may not be 
oppressed ; that they may obtain a liberty of conscience, and 
call a minister of their own ; that they be freed from paying 
to their ministers, and thereby be enabled to support their 
own. This is all these good men desire."'* 

The missionary efforts of Mr. Muirsou were not long in 
producing a satisfactory result. Early in the year 1707, the 
Episcopalians of Stratford, probably in connection with a few 
from Fairfield, "embodied themselves in a religious society," 
and requested that Mr. Muirson might be sent to reside 
among them as a settled missionary. But before they received 
any answer to their application, he died, in October, 1708 ; 
and the few Churchmen, who had begun with much hope and 
amid cheering prospects, to lay the foundation of the first 
Episcopal parish in Connecticut, were called, in the providence 
of God, to await with patience, through a series of untoward 
events, dui-ing a number of years, the coming of a resident 
clergyman. 

After the death of Mr. Muirson, the Rev. Messrs. Talbot, 
Sharpe and Bridge, missionaries located in New York and 
New Jersey, occasiouly visited Stratford and Fairfield. And 
at one time, Mr. Sharpe spent nearly a mouth, and took much 
pains, and baptized many ; among whom was an aged man, 
said to have been the first man-child born in the Colony of 
Connecticut. At leugth, in 1713, the Rev. Mr. Phillips was 
put in charge of the parish at Stratford ; but after a few 
months, during which his ministrations were very iri'egular, 
he suddenly left the Colony. And finally, to add to the 
disappointment of the scattered dock, not yet fully organized 
and settled as a regular mission, after several years of zealous 
• Humphrey : History of the Venerable Society, p. 119. 



28 THE REV. CtEOKGE MUIRSON. 

and patient effort to that end, the Rev. Aeneas Mackenzie, condi- 
tionally appointed for the supply of Stratford, was detained 
at Staten Island, by the offer of a gentleman to build and 
endow a Church there. Thus thwarted by various circum- 
stances, scarcely less discouraging than the opposition and 
hindrance presented by laws of the Colony, which were 
devised for the support of the Congregational system of 
religion, the Churchmen of Stratford and Fairfield, to whom 
Mr. Muirson had preached in 1706 and 1707, were not pro- 
vided with a resident pastor until 1722* Then, to their great 
joy, the Rev. George Pigot was sent hither by the Society for 
the Propagation of the Gospel, and located for a while at 
Stratford ; with a general charge of all the Church-people in 
these parts ; who seem to have been, as yet, almost confined 
to Stratford and Fairfield. 

Mr. Pigot held his first service at Fairfield, at the house of 
Mr. Hanford, and preached to about six families, the 26th 
day of August. He arranged to officiate regularly thereafter, 
once a month. The other Sundays, when Mr. Pigot was offi- 
ciating at Stratford, or elsewhere, services at Faii'fleld were 
kept up by the aid of a faithful lay-reader. It appears from 
letters preserved in the archives of the Venerable Society, 
that in the year 1723, Dr. James Laborie, a French physician 
of eminence, who had left his native country towards the 
close of the seventeenth century, and been " ordained by Mr. 
Knight, antistes of the Canton of Zurich,"' taught and held 
service conformably to the usage of the Church of England in 
his own house' in Fairfield. According to the records of the 
Town he resided there in 1718, having bought at that time, of 
Mr. Isaac Jennings, a place known as " the stone house on 
the rocks," probably the same concerning which he afterwards 
said, that he had " destinated "' it to the service of the Church 
of England Anyway, using the Book of Common Prayer for 
a manual of worship, this zealous layman invited beneath his 

* Rev. N. E. Cornwall : Historical Discourse, p. 9. 



THE KEV. GEORGE MUIRSON. 29 

roof, on Sunday mornings, those who still clung to the 
Church of England and its form of worship. Here, then, 
was a nucleus, independent of a settled minister, about which 
the Church sentiment could gather and grow ! And doubtless 
it did much to strengthen Mr. Pigot's brief but successful 
ministry. The latter served Fairfield, in common with 
Stratford and Newtown but a year and a half, when he was 
removed by the Venerable Society's order, to Providence? 
Rhode Island, the place for which he had been intended when 
he first arrived in America. It seems quite plain then that 
the Church in Fairfield, actually began with the lay services of 
Dr. Laborie. If the date of his coming to Fairfield, 1718, is 
correct, that would be the year of its inception. Mr. Pigot 
was the first clergyman who officiated regularly, but even in 
his time, 1722, the continuous life of the parish can be said to 
have depended upon the fervor of those Churchmen who met 
from Sunday to Sunday, and participated in Divine worship 
according to the Book of Common Prayer, the officiant being 
more frequently one of their own number.* 

*In a " Registry-book " kept by Mr. Pigot and Mr. Johnson, at Stratford, there 
is a record of the appointment. In 1724, of two Wardens and nine Vestrymen " for 
Stratford," one Warden and two Vestrymen "for Fairfield," one Warden and two 
Vestrymen "for Newtown," and two Wardens and three Vestrymen "for 
Rlpton;" the Warden for Fairfield being Dougal Mackenzie, and the Vestrymen, 
James Laborie, Sen. and Benjamin Sturges. At the same time James Laborie. 
Jun. was one of the Vestrymen for Stratford. 



CHAPTER V. 



The Ministry of the Eey. Samuel Johnson and the Build- 
ing OF THE First Church at Mill Plain, 1723-1727. 




Rev. Samuel Johnson. 



In 1723, Rev. Samuel Johnson, succeeded Mr. Pigot as 
rector of the parish at Stratford, and animated with the same 



THE REV. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 31 

Boble spirit of his predecessor, still continued to give to the 
Church-people at Fairfield, a generous share of his time. He 
it was, who having been a tutor at Yale college, and 
afterwards a popular Congregational minister at West Haven, 
and having had a Prayer Book put into his hands,* had read 
and re-read it until he had become convinced that " there 
were no prayers like those of the Church of England;'' had 
crossed the ocean to the mother-country, and been " Episco- 
pally initiated, confirmed and ordained ;" and was now 
returned to Connecticut to extend the borders of the Church 
of his convictions. How few Churchmen of the present 
day are conversant with that stirring episode in the ecclesias- 
tical history of Connecticut ! Dr. Cutler, President of Yale, 
Mr. Johnson, Mr. Brown, also a Tutor at Yale, all men of great 
l^urity of character, of profound learning, and liberal culture, 
became convinced that their duty lay in returning to the 
Church of their fathers, the Church of England. One reason 
was. the Congregational system was not meeting the spiritual 
need of the time. This was the period of controversy. The 
principles of Puritanism had lost their hold upon many of the 
people. A re-action had set in, and the moral tone of the 
Connecticut towns was lowered. " The complicated relations 
of Church and State needed disentanglement and explana- 
tion." t Another was, it became evident after calm, unpreju- 
diced study, that unless God was the author of confusion, He 
would establish but one Church, not many so-called churches, 
to extend and conserve the Gospel of His Son ; that He had 
done so through His inspired Apostles, and that His Church 
with its Holy Scriptures, Ministry, Sacraments, and Liturgy, 

• A good maD in Guilford. Smitlison by name— blessed be liis memory !—liad a 
Prayer Book wliicli he put into the hands of the youthful Johnson before he left 
his native town. Many of the prayers that he found tlierein, Johnson committed 
to memory, and afterwards used as occasion required, in public worship, alike to 
the comfort of himself and to the comfort and edification of his flock.— Beardsley : 
History of the Episcopal Church, vol. ii, p. .34. 

t Child : The Prime Ancient Society, p. 20. 



32 THE REV. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 

existed just as really aud as mauifestly in the year 1722, as at 
the day of Pentecost. With this conviction born within them 
they could not rest where they were ; so they came out 
boldly aud announced their resolve to seek valid ministerial 
authority in England. Their action, which found numerous 
imitators, shook the Congregational Church like an earth- 
quake. * 

No one can doubt the sincerity of Mr. Johnson's course, or 
that of his companions. Everything in the way of honor and 
preferment tempted them to stay where they were; while to 
obtain the ordination they sought, the terrors of the deep, 
and the dangers of pestilence, demanded a courage unsur- 
passed by that exhibited by the most valiant on the battle- 
field. Mr. Johnson's diary, written for his own, and not the 
public eye, immediately after the College Commencement of 
1722, shows what was the inner mind of this holy man. He 
says: ''Being at length brought to such doubts concerning 
the validity of my ordination, that I could go no further 
without intolerate uneasiness of mind, I have now at length, 
after some private conferences with ministers, made a public 
declaration of my scruples and uneasiness. It is with great 
sori'ow of heart that I am forced to be an occasion of so much 
uneasiness to my dear friends, my poor people, and indeed to 
the whole Colony. O God, I beseech Thee, grant that I may 
not, by an adherence to Thy necessary truths and laws — as I 
profess in my conscience they seem to be — be a stumbling- 
block or occasion to fall to any soul. Let not our thus 
appearing for Thy Church be any way accessory, though 
accidentally, to the hurt of religion in general, or any person 

"Ex-Presldent Woosleylu Ills Historical Discourse, 1850, says: A departure for 
the first time In the Colony, and of so many at once, from the views of the New 
England Churches, and a return to that Church from which the Pilgrims had fled 
Into the wilderness, filled the minds of men with apprehension and gloom— feelings 
which extended Into the neighboring Colony. I suppose that greater alarm would 
scarcely be awakened now, if the Theological Faculty of the College were to 
declare for the Church of Rome, avow their belief In Transubstantiatlon, and pray 
to the Virgin Mary. 



1 




t.OfllOINAI. 


l.aCAY1»M OF TI|lt*rfV ft^tSCOTAL l.>«W«ICn A.*.|r>«. 


a^CCOMD 


- • • - « iTas. 


9' THIN. 


• • - > n - -lT»8. 


•ftt-rswHTH 


. ••>«. 


S.r.rrHfti. 


mtt/tmr locatiom - » • - )fsa • 


6CI'</AUR 


e-auMT Amn •«•'*<«»« t<«m vy •««/«'' aTonn •••«- 



MAP OF A F»0R■^ot>^ or the' 
TOWN or FAIRTIEI-D 

SHOWINO THE VARIOUS LOCATIONS OF 

TRir^tTY CHURCH 
SinCc its organization 



L.ONG ISLAND SOUND 



THE REV. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 33 

in particular. Have mercy, Lord, have mercy on the souls of 
men, and pity and enlighten those who are grieved at this 
accident. Lead into the way of truth all those who have 
erred and are deceived, and if we in this affair are misled, we 
beseech Thee, to show us our error before it is too late, that 
we may repair the damage. Grant us Thy illumination, for 
Christ's sake — Amen." 

Immediately after his return from England on November 
4:th, 1723, Mr. Johnson took charge of the Church at Stratford ; 
and Mr. Pigot hastened to his charge at Providence. Mr. 
Johnson's position was somewhat like that of an itinerant 
preacher, as he officiated at Fairfield one Sunday in the 
month, and at Norwalk, Newtown and West Haven, frequently 
on week days. He describes himself as " alone, surrounded 
with bitter enemies, so that if he had not been of a very 
sanguine temper, he would have scarce avoided growing 
melancholly." It certainly would not have been strange if 
he had grown " melancholly," if the tradition is true which is 
told of his reception and residence at Stratford. The house 
which was procured for him was branded with a hot poker, by 
the good woman who vacated it, on the fire-boards and 
every available piece of woodwork, with large crosses — a 
vigorous protest against Popish invasion. It is also stated 
that for some time he was obliged to send to Long Island, 
fourteen miles across the Sound, for provisions which the 
excellent townspeople would not furnish. Writing to the 
Bishop of London shortly after his arrival at Stratford, he 
says : " There is not one clergyman of the Church of 
England, besides myself, in this whole Colony, and I am 
obliged in a great measure to neglect my cure at Stratford, 
where yet there is business for one minister, to I'ide about to 
other towns, when in each one of them there is as much need 
of a resident minister as there is at Stratford, especially at 
Fairfield and Newtown." This is true, but Fairfield had one 
incalculable advantage over other places in which he officiated. 



34 THE KEY. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 

Faithf al Dr. Laborie was serving as lay-reader there, whenever 
the Lord's day came round, and Mr. Johnson's duties called 
him elsewhere. Thus continuity and vitality were imparted 
to the infant parish. The Church at Fairfield at this time 
numbered about twenty families: Mr. Johnson writing in 
1724 to the Secretary of the Venerable Society says : " The 
whole town would, I believe, embrace the Church if they had 
a good minister. I have a vast assembly every time I visit 
them. We have, however, no abatement of persecution and 
imprisonment for taxes, which sundry people, and those of 
both sexes have unreasonably suffered." In spite, though, of 
the harsh treatment to which it was subjected — so strong was 
the feeling against the Church, that by common consent 
Fairfield at this time, and for years afterwards, was styled 
" the chief seat of opposition to Episcopacy" — the young, but 
militant parish, decided upon the erection of a Church edifice. 
After much legal fencing, an eligible site was secured on Mill 
Plain, a central location, about a mile from the village of 
Fairfield and the work was begun. This Church building, 
the second Episcopal Church erected in the Colony, was set 
apart for divine worship, with a suitable discourse by Mr. 
Johnson, November 10th, 1725, the Thanksgiving-Day that 
year for Connecticut. 

It is diffieult for us at the present time, to conceive how 
humble and plain this edifice was. Although designed for 
Episcopal worship, it varied little in size and appearance from 
the usual type of meeting-house of that day. The windows 
were hardly more than openings for light and air, their size 
being reduced by the scarcity and cost of glass ; there was no 
plaster on the walls ; no cushions took the hardness off the 
narrow benches; artificial heat was unknown, even in the 
bitterest weather ; there was the merest suggestion of a pulpit, 
and a rough carpenter-made reading desk, balanced it on the 
other side. Seats were provided for the colored people 
apart by themselves. In the early days in all the Connecticut 



THE REV. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 



35 



towns, religious and other meetings were called by the beat of 
the drum ; one of the inhabitants making an annual contract 
for the service. It was considered a decided novelty, and a 
sign of great progress, when the enterprise of the congrega- 
tion connected with Trinity Church, caused a bell to be hung 
in the steeple of the second Episcopal Church erected thirteen 
years later. 

Who were the donors of the funds wherewith this first 
Church was built? We cannot tell. The records, if there 
were any, were all destroyed by the fire of 1779. One thing 







The First Church on Mill Plaix. 

we know, the space about the edifice, began to be utilized in a 
very short time as a burial ground, and this fact has preserved 
for us the name of a worthy parishioner, whose benefactions 
to the parish must have been of a generous chai'acter. As 
late as 1881 there were seven tombstones, worn and disinte- 
grated by the passing years, still in place, on the site of the 
first Mill Plain Chux'ch. In that year they were removed by the 



36 



THE BEV. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 



citizens of Fairfield villao;e to the old burying ground of thafc 
place, where they are now. The most important in size and 
state of preservation is that of Abraham Adams, who died 
August 9th, 1729, in the 80th year of his age, having been a 
worthy Founder and Liberal Benefactor to Trinity Church. 



m 



■\-rrr 



dr 



i \ 'M-:^ 



^t/4 V' 



VV'j^i 



\~{(;re Lye5 Buried;; 

S Bodu of m;^- iI 

A BKAHAH ADAMS' 
Who Dec- Aug- 172 c 

His A^e 

Havinq been aWoKthyToun 
& Liberal BettefdctortoTrmify 

Church , 



% 



Tomb 01 Alraham Adams. 

The other stones are : 

No. 1. 

JOHN APPLEGATE, 

Died 1712. 

No. 2. 

AVIS APPLEGATE, 

Died 1717. 



THE REV. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 37 

No. 3. 

REBECCA BROWN, 

Died 1730. 

No. 4. 

BENJAMIN LINES, 

Died 1732. 

No. 5. 

DAVID JENNINGS, 

Died 1735. 

No. 6. 

ESTHER LORD. 

The existence and location of these tombstones up to 1881, 
clearly remove the exact site of the fii-st Church erected by 
Trinity parish, from the uncertainties of mere tradition. The 
tombstones, within the recollection of many living witnesses, 
were taken from the spot marked No. 1, on the map of Church 
sites, which has been prepared for this work, and that, beyond 
dispute, is where the first Church built by the parish was 
situated. 



CHAPTER YI. 



The Rev. Henry Canee, the First Rector of Trinity 

Church, and the Building of the Second Church 

Edifice, 1727-1747 a. d. 




Kev. Henry Caner. 

Under the impetus given by the possession of a permanent 
building wherein the people could gather without hindrance 
for worship and Sacrament, the continued progress of the 
Church at Fairfield became assured. One need there was, 
however, that became more and more apparent, that of a 



THE KEY. HENEY CANER. 39 

settled minister. Inasmuch as Mr. Johnson, though actually 
Rector at Stratford, was practically missionary to all the parts 
adjacent, it was not to be expected that he could give the 
growing parish at Fairfield as much of his time as it required. 
It is true it had been favored for a number of years, with the 
invaluable services of Dr. Laborie, but about this date he had 
felt compelled, owing to bodily infirmity, to sever his relation 
with it as lay-reader. Providentially, a fit person was found 
to succeed him in that capacity.* Henry Caner was a recent 
graduate of Yale college, a communicant at Stratford, and a 
candidate for Holy Orders. He was, according to Dr. Trum- 
bull, " the son of the Mr. Caner who built the first college and 
Rector's house at New Haven." After having materially 
assisted in keeping up the services, as lay-reader, under Mr. 
Johnson, for two years, Mr. Caner crossed over to England, and 
having been ordained, was forthwith appointed missionary at 
Fairfield, by the Venerable Society. The second and most 
important stage in the history of Trinity Church was now 
reached. It had not only its proper Church edifice, but also for 
the first time in its history, a Rector whom it could rightfully 
call its own. Instead of coming at intervals from without to 
minister to the congregation, henceforth there was one 
who would make the parish itself the centre from which his 
influence would radiate. As was to be expected, a new era 
of prosperity ensued. In 1733, Mr. Caner informed the 
Venerable Society that " the Independents, who formerly 
thought it a crime to join with the Churchmen in worship, 
now freely came to^Church, and joined with seeming sanctity 
and satisfaction in "our service." Later he reported that in 
Fairfield, as well as elsewhere, the Church was in a growing 

•The name of "Henry Canner" was enrolled In the "registry-hook" of Mr. 
Plgot, upon the list of communicants at Stratford, "Septr. 2d, 173a," and that of 
"Henry Caner, Jr." by Mr. Johnson, "March 28th, 1725." It may be well to 
observe that while the original orthography of Mr. Caner's name was that 
which is here employed, the received pronunciation of it was doubtless indicated 
more precisely by Doctor Trumbull, who wrote It Canner, and by the early 
Churchmen of Fairfield, who sometimes wrote it Conner. 



40 THE REV. HENRY CANER. 

condition, and never in as flourishing a state as at present." 
Early in 173G, exhausted by his arduous duties, Mr. Caner 
was induced by his physician to journey to England, for rest 
and recuperation. Writing to Mr. Johnson from London 
under date of March 9th, the Bishop of Gloucester said : " I 
wish Mr. Caner, who has the character from you, and every 
one, of a very deserving man, might acquire a better state of 
health by his journey hither.'' The Bishop's desire was 
realized. Change of scene, freedom from that "sameness that 
doubles care," speedily restored him to his normal condition, 
and in the autumn of the same year he was back at work in 
Fairfield, ready, if that were possible, to make greater sacri- 
fices than ever in its behalf. During all this time the parish 
was steadily advancing. The attendance on the Lord's Day 
had grown larger ; more than one parishioner had remembered 
the Church by will; while better than all, there were numerous 
indications of an abatement of the persecuting spirit and 
temper of those who, up to this time, had been bitterly 
hostile. About a twelve-month after Mr. Caner's return from 
England, the Church edifice, erected in 1725, on Mill Plain, 
had become, it was discovered, " much too little for the 
congregation ;'" besides, the location was inconvenient for many 
of the parishioners, being nearly a mile from the town-centre, 
which was Fairfield village. At this period, Fairfield was a 
port of entry, and the seat of the Courts for the whole County. 
Shops and dwellings were multiplying, and the population 
increasing rapidly in numbers and importance. A Church 
located close by, rather than over a mile distant, it was felt was 
a want of a pressing nature, even though a considerable part 
of the congregation might have to travel somewhat further to 
reach it. The project meeting with favor, at a town meeting 
held July 27th, 1738, a vote was adopted* giving " liberty to 

* Tills action of the town was In Its civil capacity. We hear It sometimes Inti- 
mated that the Prime Congregational Society of Its own kindliness and good will 
graciously permitted the Episcopalians to organize and build. Beginning with 
1827, the meetings of the Prime Ancient (Congregational) Society of Fairfield. 



THE REV. HENRY CANER. 



41 



the members of the Church of Eagland" to build their pro- 
posed Church, upon certain conditions,* " on the highway near 
the Old Fairfield gate, about eighty rods eastward from the 
Prime Society's Meeting House. "f 

This second Church, though built iu the infancy of the 
parish, was a very substantial and comparatively elegant 
structure. It was fifty-five feet in length, thirty-five feet in 
breadth, and twenty feet in height, "with a handsome steeplcj 




The Second Chdrch, Fairfield Village. 

and spire of one hundred feet, and a good bell of five hundred 

weight." It had also capacious galleries. 

according to Its own record were entirely distinct from "Town-Meeting," Tliat 
was a different affair. Moreover, the meeting referred to above, was lield at 
Greenfield, not Fairfield. 

*one of the certain conditions was that Episcopalians who lived within a mile 
of the new edifice were granted the prlviliegeof paying their taxes for the support 
of it ; while all others were compelled to pay their taxes for the support, as of old 
of the Congregational Church 

tsee site marked No. 3 on map facing page 35. 

tx spire or steeple, in the early days of the Colony, was considered almost an 
essential to aneditlce belonging to the ( hurch of England. It distinguished it as 
such. "The steeple house " was the common name given to one of our Churches 
by the Puritans. 



42 THE KEY. HENRY CANEE. 

By this time, it is apparent that the parish of Fairfield had 
outstripped in some respects the older parish of Stratford, 
and taken the position of the leading parish in the Colonj'. 
It appears from original papers in the oflSce of the Secretary 
of State, that of six hundred and thirty-six heads of families, 
men and women, whose signatures were attached to a petition 
then presented to the Colonial Assembly, from nine parishes 
under the care of seven missionaries, of these, eighty-tioo, or 
more than one-eighth of the whole, belonged to Fairfield. 
Some conception of the rapid advance of the Church at 
Fairfield after Mr. Caner became its settled minister, and 
assumed the full charge, may be gathered from a comparison 
of the small number of communicants whom he found here as 
lay-reader under Mr. Johnson in 1725, namely twelve, with the 
number of families belonging to the parish in 1730, namely 
forty. No doubt such a satisfactory state of things was 
owing, in large measure, to the tact and ability displayed by 
Mr. Caner. During the years of his incumbency he had 
acquired great celebrity as a preacher. Nor was he lacking 
in the least in missionary zeal ; for although Fairfield claimed 
and received the largest share of his attention, he still found 
time to extend his ministrations to the other villages and 
towns that called for them. 

In one of his letters he speaks of his parish as fifteen miles 
long, and more than six broad ; and says that this compelled 
him to keep two horses, which he found "expensive and 
troublesome." Norwalk, and Kidgefield, and Northfield (now 
"Weston), were visited regularly by him, and a great deal of 
■effective work was done, by house to house visitations, 
throughout the then rough and sparsely settled country. Mr. 
•Caner's connection with the Church at Fairfield lasted twenty 
years, from 1727 to 1747. In the latter year, the few communi- 
•cants with which his ministry began had grown to over two 
hundred, sixty-eight of them being in Fairfield.* After this 

•According to Hawkins, p. 246. there were slxty-elglit at Fairfield, one hundred 
and fifteen at Norwalk, and tweniy at Stamford. But such a statement, In view of 
the nature and extent of the mission, Is not very definite. 



THE REV. HENKY CANER. 43 

long period of faithful service Mr. Caner resigned bis charge,* 
and removed, greatly to the regret of all of his parishioners, 
to Boston, and took the services at King's Chapel. Much has 
been said and written to the detriment of the Colonial clergy. f 
It may have been that here and there one was found who did 
not live answerably to his holy calling. But as a general rule 
it was far otherwise. In the New England Colonies especially, 
there was little in the positions which the Church offered to 
attract unworthy men. One missionary, writing to the Venera- 
ble Society in 1718, says: '"They tried to tire me out with ill- 
usage. The shop-keepers would not sell me provisions. The 
dissenting miller sent back my grain unground, with the 
message to eat it whole, as the hogs did. Some of the leading 
people in the place never fail to avoid me when they meet me 
on the streets.' "What inducement was there to covet, except 
for principle's sake, such a life as that^ We may safely say 
that in endurance, as good soldiers of Christ ; in self-sacrifice ; 
in earnest work in the face of poverty, persecution and 
relentless opposition, the clergymen of the northern Colonies 
compared favorably with any of ancient or modern times. 
Such a man was Mr. Caner. He did, as all Churchmen of to-day 
must acknowledge, a great and lasting work in Fairfield, for 
which his memory will always be held in grateful remembrance. 

• Mr. Caaer was Rector of King's Chapel, Boston, until 1776 ; about thirty years. 
And though not then a missionary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, 
he continued to act as its confidential friend and correspondent, especially in 
regard to the recommendation of candidates for Holy Orders. In 1706, he received 
the honorary degree of D. D. from tlie university of Oxford. In March, 1770, he 
went from Boston to Halifax ; and soon afterwards sailed for England, wliere he 
" was received by the Society wltli the respect which he so well deserved as the 
father of the American clergy. The Society offered him the choice of any of the 
missions then vacant ; and he was appointed to Bristol, in Rhode Island, and thus 
through the changes and chances of life, he re-assumed in his old age, a similar 
employment to that which he undertooli in his youth."' Hawlilns' Hist. Notices, 
p. 247. He died In England at an advanced age, in 1792. 

tThus we have this statement : It was the custom to send out to Virginia and 
Maryland the poorest specimens of clergymen that the mother country afforded. 
Men unfit for any appointment at home, were thought good enough for the 
Colonies.— Fiske : Old Virginia, vol. i, p. 26-2. 



CHAPTER YII. 



Rev. Joseph Lamson's Rectoeship, 1747-1773, a. d. 

In 1745, the eloquent, but erratic George Whitefield, appeared 
in New England, an d started a wave of emotionalism that carried 
not a few staid and conservative Christians off their feet.* Mr. 
Caner early wrote that while the religious enthusiasm had made 
no progress at Fairfield, it had spread extensively at Stamford, 
Norwalk, Ridgefield, and other places. Perhaps a little of it at 
this time would have been beneficial to the Church-people of 
Fairfield ; then Mr. Caner would not have felt compelled to 
give the reason he did for leaving his parish : " The present 
state of my parish," he said, " does not yield me all the 
satisfaction I could wish. A cold, Laodicean disposition, an 
inconsiderate neglect of the great duties of religion, a visible 
deadness and formality, are what at present give me most 
concern, and prevent the success of my administrations. "' 
Many another faithful Priest of the Church of God has been 
discouraged and disheartened by the same indifferent spirit, 
manifested by his flock, and has felt constrained to seek else- 

• In 1745, WhlteQeld again crossed the Atlantic ; and after organizing Ills scheme 
of charity In Savannah, he traversed the Southern States,— swept like a tornado 
across Philadelphia,— and preached In New York and Boston. The progress of no 
conqueror was ever greeted with greater felicitations ; men, on horseback, poured 
forth to meet him, and conducted him In triumph Into their cities. The Governor 
received him at his table, took him in his state carriage to the boat, and bade him 
farewell with embraces ; ministers welcomed him to their pulpits ; the chapela 
and churches were too conflned for his auditors, who followed him in thousands to 
the flelds ; day-break and night-fall beheld crowds hanging on his words. Physi- 
cal power, marvellous beyond e.Kample, kept pace with this flery energy ; a tour In 
America of 800 miles, during which he travelled the worst roads, left him at 
leisure, within two months and a half, to preach 175 public sermons, besides 
holding numberless private e.xhortatlons and conversations.- Colquohoun : 
Sketches of Notable Men, p. 227. 



THE EEV. JOSEPH LAMSON's RECTORSHIP. 45 

where, for those to whom religion is a solemn reality and not 
a pretence. It is apparent that Mr. Caner felt that the parish at 
Fairfield needed stirring up, and that some one whose methods 
were different from his own, might possibly succeed in accom- 
plishing the task. He soon found there was a clergyman of this 
type available, the Rev. Joseph Lamson, who had already made 
for himself quite a notable record. Bo/n at Stratford, brought 
up a Congregationalist, he had graduated at Yale College. 
Soon after taking his diploma he became a Churchman, and 
deciding to take Holy Orders, embai'ked for England. He 
was accompanied by Mr. Richardson Minor, a graduate like- 
wise of Yale, and for fourteen years, (1730 to 1744 ), pastor of 
the Congregational Society at North Stratford, now Trumbull, 
who was risking a voyage across the sea for the same laudable 
purpose. The vessel in which they sailed was captured by 
the French, and both were made prisoners, and taken to 
Port Louis, in France. After their release fi'om confinement, 
on the way to London, they reached Salisbury, where Mr. 
Minor was taken ill of a fever, and died, to the great sorrow 
of all his friends and especially of his dependent family. Mr. 
Johnson, on hearing of the event, exclaimed, " would to God 
we had a Bishop to ordain here, which would prevent such 
unhappy disasters."' Mr. Lamson having been ordained, re- 
turned to this country, and his friends welcomed him " as one 
risen from the dead, among whom the report had for some 
time placed him." Soon after his arrival, the Venerable 
Society willingly appointed him assistant to the Rev. Mr. 
Wetmore, the missionary at Rye, New York, and the particu- 
lar duty assigned to him was to minister " to the inhabitants 
of Bedford, North Castle, and Ridgefield, with a salary of 
£20 per annum, besides a gratuity of the same sum, out of 
compassion to Mr. Lamson's sufferings and necessities." 
From this responsible charge Mr. Lamson was transferred, 
upon Mr. Caner's resignation, to Fairfield, where he served 
with great acceptableness for twenty-six years — a ministry 



46 THE REV. JOSEPH LAMSOn's KECTORSHIP. 

only terminated by Lis death. A romantic story is told 
concerning Mr. Lamson. Before entering the ministry, 
while still in college, he became engaged to Miss Abigail 
Rumsey, of Fairfield, a beautiful young girl of good family, 
only sixteen years of age. While on a visit to friends in 
Stratford, she was suddenly taken ill, and it soon became 
evident that there was no hope of her recovery. Mr. Lamson 
was summoned to her bedside to bid her farewell, and before 
her death she directed that her gold beads — ornaments greatly 
prized at that day — should be taken from her neck, and given 
to her lover. It is said that he never parted with them ; but 
carried them upon his person until he died. Mr. Lamson 
afterwards married Miss Wetmore, daughter of the missionary 
at Rye. 

After locating at Fairfield, Mr. Lamson continued to preach 
for a while at Ridgefield. He is also mentioned in the pro- 
ceedings of the Venerable Society for 17-48, as "serving 
Norwalk," which had become, with the parts adjacent, a 
parish " of one hundred and five families, exceeding in number 
any other Church, except that at Stratford." The Church 
was also growing eastwardly. At Stratfield, now Bridge- 
port, Church-people had become so numerous, that under 
the guidance of Mr. Lamson, in 1748, they proceeded to 
€rect a house of worship, which was called St. John's Church. 
This was the eighteenth Church edifice built in the Colony. 
In writing to the Venerable Society, in the autumn of this 
year, Mr. Lamson says : " I have formerly mentioned a 
Church built at Stratfield, a village within the bounds of 
Fairfield, in which they are very urgent to have me officiate 
every third Sunday, because we have large congregations 
when I preach there.'' This was the beginning of the now 
flourishing mother-parish of Bridgeport, St. John's, which 
owed its beginning and early growth to the fostering care of 
Mr. Lamson, and his successors in Trinity Church, Fairfield. 
It should be a source of pride for the present members of 



THE KEV. JOSEPH LAMSON's RECTORSHIP. 47 

Trinity Church, to remember that their venerable organization 
in the past was the foundress of many of the Churches that 
now exist in Fairfield County. It is a matter of record 
that the Rector of Fairfield, besides serving his own cure, 
officiated at stated times, through successive years, at 
Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich, Chestnut Ridge, (now Redding) 
Ridgefield, Eastou, Wilton, New Canaan, and Stratfield, a 
district which now embraces twenty flourishing parishes, and 
in which, within one hundred and sixty-three years past, not 
less than thirty-five Churches have been built by Churchmen, 
in addition to the first small edifice erected by Trinity parish 
at Fairfield, in 1725. Of course, as the congregations in the 
outlying villages grew stronger, they came to have their own 
settled clergymen, and thus it came to pass that about twelve 
3'ears before the war of the Revolution, Trinity parish was 
greatly reduced in numbers ; the Churches at Stratfield and 
Easton only, continuing to be dependent upon it for regular 
services. From this time onwards, it may be, because its 
ministers had fewer demands for his ministrations elsewhere, 
the home work appears to have grown steadily. In the records 
of the Venerable Society, very little mention is made of Fair- 
field during Mr. Lamson's rectorship. One reason was, the 
Ijeriod of struggle and opposition attendant upon the estab- 
lishment of the parish was successfully past ; another, that it 
had become largely self-sustaining. Even in Mr. Caner's 
time, it was a matter of pride that the parishioners had " tried 
to help themselves, manifesting, always, a willingness to 
contribute according to their ability." It was while Mr. 
Lamson was rector, that it was proposed and recommended 
" that every professor of the Church of England should, by 
his will, devote a certain sum to the support of this particular 
Church ; to be used by the Church-wardens, for the purposes 
designated by the Church.'' Already, while Mr. Caner was in 
charge of the parish, certain small bequests had been made, 
but this was a formal movement, intended, if possible, to 



48 THE KEV. JOSEPH LAMSON S RECTORSHIP. 

bring about the speedy endowment of the parish, and thus 
facilitate the perpetuity and enlargement of its usefulness in the 
future. Very soon two parishioners had left £100 each, and 
two supposed to be at the point of death had ordered, the one 
£100, and the other £50, to be appropriated out of their 
estates. In addition to this, Dougal McKenzie, the father-in- 
law of Mr. Caner, ordered in his will that the whole of his 
property, comprising besides his homestead in the village of 
Fairfield, a large tract of land on the eastern bank of Mill 
River, and two or three other valuable tracts in the vicinity, 
should be taxed forever for the support of the Church at 
Fairfield. In 174:7, a member of the parish, Mrs. Jerusha 
Sturges, left it a legacy of £50. And in 1762, Mr. St. George 
Talbot, a very liberal benefactor of several Churches in New 
York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, gave not only a solid 
silver communion service, which was a munificent present for 
this era, but arranged that on his death, the parish should 
receive £200, to be laid out in buying a glebe for the use of 
the Rector.* It thus came to pass that in 1767, upon the 
decease of Mr. Talbot, a glebe of nine acres of pasture and 
wood-land at Round-Hill, was purchased of Jonathan Sturges, 
executor of Samuel Sturges, in the name of the Society for 
the Propagation of the Gospel, " in trust forever, for 
the use, benefit and improvement of a minister of the 
Church of England, having charge of Trinity Church for 
the time being." Meanwhile, in 176-4, the parishioners of 
Trinity had repaired their Church at an expense of nearly 
£100 sterling, about five hundred dollars ; and Mr. Lamson 

» A charitable layman, Mr. St. George Talbot, residing In the Province of New 
York, favored with his patronage the effort to plant the seeds of Episcopacy In a 
community of divided religious sentiments. He dedicated the energies of an 
active life and the resources of an ample fortune to strengthen its Influence in 
New York and Connecticut, and his liberal benefactions are associated with the 
early history of the Church In Fairfield County. In 176.3 he was present at the 
Convention In Ripton, and wrote of the Rev. Mr. Johnson's sermon: " It was 
excellent, pathetlcal, spirited, adapted to the occasion, and acceptable to the 
clergy and all who had the pleasure to hear him. " Beardsley : History of the 
Episcopal Church In Connecticut, vol. 1, p. 212. 



THE REV. JOSEPH LAMSOn's RECTORSHIP. 49 

wrote to the Society that the Church at Stratfield would cost 
as much more. In the same letter he remarked, that " the 
people of his mission seemed more solicitous concerning the 
Church than ever." Altogether it may be inferred from the 
statistics contained in one or two reports which are preserved 
in the archives of the Venerable Society, that Trinity parish 
continued, upon the whole, in a state of constant advance, 
until the time of Mr. Lamson's death, which took place in 
1773. Thus, the long ministry of this faithful servant of 
God came to an end. He found the parish in rather a 
depressed condition, but from no fault of his able predecessor. 
Wisely, but energetically, he led his people, until blessed by 
the Holy Spirit, he was enabled to see the ebbing tide turn, 
and flow in again. For controversy he had no desire. He 
rather cultivated peace with the conflicting elements with 
which he was surrounded, confining himself to the simple 
truths of Christianity, and of the Church, so necessary to us 
all. There are many waj's of following our Lord, and doing 
His work. The Church has need of every gift ; it is well that 
some of its clergy should be eloquent, argumentative, able to 
force its claims upon the gainsayers, showing that every talent 
which God has given to man, may be used to His glory ; 
but still more needful for the Church's welfare are ordinary 
clergymen like Mr. Lamson, who by quiet presentment of its 
worth, show to those who differ, without contention or bitter 
side-glance, that within its fold the soul can find all the 
spiritual help and sustenance it needs. Such men are its 
stanchest pillars ; and no gift is a cause of greater blessing, 
thankfulness, and fruit to God, than they. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



The Rev. John Sayre s Rectorship — The Burning of Fairfield 
BY Gen. Tyron, 1774 to 1779, a. d. 




Rev. John Sayke. 

Shortly after the Venerable Society learned of Mr. Lamson's 
death, the Rev. Mr. Marshall, of Woodbury, was ajjpointed 
to Fau'field, but he deemed it inexpedient to leave his field of 
labor in Litchfield County. In 1774, the Rev. John Sayre, 
who had been for several years a successful missionary at 



THE REV. JOHN SAYRE's RECTORSHIP. 51 

Newburgh, in New York,* was assigned to the cure. The 
new Rector came to a united and prosperous parish. The 
Church edifice was one of the finest in the Colony ; and a 
commodious parsonage added greatly to the comfort of the 
incumbent and his family. Shortly after Mr. Sayre's arrival, 
the impressive service of Induction, or as we now term 
it. Institution, took place. According to its rule, on the 
Sunday fixed for the ceremony, the Church was closed ; 
the ponderous key was left in the door ; the people 
stood around in the Church-yard. The minister came, 
accompanied by the Wardens and Vestry, and stood before 
the closed door. The inducting person, usually a prominent 
parishioner, designated by the congregation for the purpose, 
took the minister's right hand and placed it on the key, and 
pronounced the words : " By virtue of the authority given 
unto me, I induct you. Reverend Sir, into the real, actual, and 
corporal possession of the parish Church of Fairfield, called 
Trinity Church, with all the rights, members, and appur- 
tenences pertaining thereto." The officiant then opened the 
door, and " put the minister in possession," and henceforth 
the Church was his for all sacred services and uses. The 
minister then proceeded to toll the bell, and immediately 
afterwards entered the Church, followed by the people. The 
Order for Morning Prayer was then said, and at its close the 
minister solemnly declared his assent to all the doctrines 

♦ In 1V68, tlie Rev. Jolin Sayre was appointed missionary at Newburgli-on-tlie- 
Hudson, by the Venerable Society, at a stipend of £30 a year. Settling back In tlie 
country, lie preached alternately at Newburgh, Otterfleld, Wallklll, and New 
Windsor. "He was," says Cadwalader Golden, Jr., "a popular preacher, and 
gathered large congregations, and raised up a spirit of building Churches." In 1T73, 
a conflict of opinion arose concernlng;the location of a new Church building. The 
Vestry preferred Newburgh, holding that the glebe, situated within Its limits, 
would be claimed by New Windsor, which was In the next town. If the Church 
should be built In the latter place. Mr. Sayre was strongly In favor of New 
Windsor, because It had been the field of the earlier missionaries, and was known 
to the Society In England as the centre of the missionary work In that locaUty. 
Newburgh was successful ; and Mr. Sayre was much disturbed and discouraged at 
the conclusion of things. Shortly after he obtained a transfer to Trinity Church, 
Falrfleld. Newburgh Historical Society Proceedings for 1895, p. 40. 



52 THE REV. JOHN SAYKE's RECTORSHIP. 

and usages of the Church of England, as contained in the 
Book of Common Prayer. The people then saluted and wel- 
comed their Rector, and bade him God speed. Hence- 
forth he was theirs and they were his ; both being bound 
together by a tie as sacred as that of marriage. 

Under different circumstances, no doubt Mr. Sayre's rector- 
ship would have been very successful. In his " Sketch of Trinity 
Parish," prepared in 1804, the Rev. Philo Shelton says of 
him: " that he was a man of talent, a good preacher, an agree- 
able companion, a pious Christian, and that during his stay 
the Church flourished." It was Mr. Sayre's lot, however, to 
begin his labors at Fairfield at a critical time in the nation's 
history — just after the destruction by the populace, of 8-40 
chests of tea in Boston harbor — by which action, the whole 
country was thrown into a patriotic ferment. In a brief 
space, the impending storm of the Revolution burst upon the 
Colonies, and the Episcopal Church had to bear the popular 
odium against England's rule. Congregations were broken 
up, and many Churches were closed. Numbers of the clergy 
were exiled or imprisoned, or were watched and harrassed as 
suspects. Mr. Sayre, a native Briton, soon became obnoxious 
to the " Committee of Inspection," and on refusing to sign 
the articles prescribed by the Continental Congress, which 
obliged those Avho signed them, not only " to oppose the King 
with life and furtune," but also " to withdraw all oflQces of 
justice, humanity and charity, from every recusant,"' was 
banished to the village of New Britain, in Hartford County. 
After an absence of seven months he was permitted to return, 
on condition that he would not go beyond the parish limits, 
above four miles. This lasted eighteen months, when the 
area in which he might move was made co-extensive with the 
County. From this time on, Mr. Sayre maintained the regu- 
lar services in the three parishes, Fairfield, Stratfield, and 
Easton, until 1779 ; always omitting the Liturgy, preferring to 



THE KEY. JOHN SAYBe's RECTORSHIP. 53 

worship, for the time being, for peace sake, according to a 
way that would meet the approval of all men, whether in heart 
they were rebels or tories. 

And now a momentous event came to pass, that was 
freighted with great calamity for the Church at Fairfield. In 
the summer of 1779, the movement of Colonial troops south- 
ward, through New Jersey, towards Philadelphia, stripped 
Connecticut of a large portion of its able-bodied men. The 
royalists in New York, realizing that the Colony was left in an 
unprotected state, promptly resolved to strike a blow that should 
inspire their enemies there with something of a distaste for 
war. The Fourth of July fell on Sunday, and the good people 
of New Haven had made their arrangements to celebrate 
the Declaration of American Independence on the day after. 
On Monday morning, before the exercises had begun, the 
tidings came that Gen. Ti-yon's fleet, numbering over forty- 
eight vessels, had dropped anchor near West Haven, at five 
o'clock, and that his troops, 3,000 strong, were marching 
towards the city. They came in two detachments of 1,500 men 
each ; one straight from West Haven ; the other, by a slightly 
diverging route, to attack and capture a small fort, located at 
Black Rock. The first of these met with some opposition, but 
by noon, all resistance had been overcome, and the invaders 
united and flushed with victory, were ready to plunder and de- 
stroy. Happily, they spared the public buildings ; but even as it 
was, a money loss of £25,000 was inflicted. Departing next day, 
the marauders sailed along the coast, and on the moi*ning of 
July 8th, appeared off Fairfield. Gen. Tryon had visited 
the village more than once ; had been the frequent recipient 
of its generous hospitality, and knew the locality well. 
About four o'clock in the afternoon the troops began to 
land. In the course of the night, several houses were 
consumed, and nearly all were plundered. Early the next 
morning the conflagration became general ; over two hundred 
buildings, forty eight stores and many barns, were turned to 



54 THE BEV. JOHN SAYRE's RECTORSHIP. 

smoking heaps of ruins. As a climax, on leaving, the enemy 
set fire to everything that up to that time had escaped the 
flames. Both hovises of worship, the Episcopal and the 
Congregational, were burned to the ground. 

President Dwight, who lived at Greenfield Hill, thus de- 
scribes the scene : " While the town was in flames, a thunder- 
storm overspread the heavens, just as night came on. The 
conflagration of near two hundred houses illumined the earth, 
the skirts of the cloud, and the waves of the Sound, with a 
union of gloom and grandure at once awful and magnificent. 
At intervals the lightning blazed with a lurid and awful splendor. 
The thunder rolled above ; beneath, the roaring of the fire 
filled up the interval with a deep and hollow sound. Add to 
this, the sharp cracking of muskets occasionally discharged, 
the groans here and there of the wounded and dying, and the 
shouts of triumph; then place before your eyes, crowds of the 
miserable suflerers, mingled with the bodies of the militia, 
taking from the neighboring hills a farewell prospect of their 
property and their dwellings, their happiness and their hopes, 
and you will form a just but imperfect picture of the burning 
of Fairfield." 

A similar destruction was wrought at Green's Farms ; scarcely 
a building of any description was left unharmed. The enemy 
crossed the Sound on the 9th, to Huntington Bay, and remained 
thereuntil the 11th, when they re-crossed to Norwalk, and re- 
peated their work of destruction there. By this time, the popula- 
tion of the interior was mustering in great force to meet Try on at 
his next lauding, when he prudently returned to New York. 
He had, however, inflicted upon Connecticut a loss of about 
£250,000, as appears by the proven claims, for which the General 
Assembly allotted 500,000 acres of northwestern lands, to the 
sufferers, in 1792. He had not, though, broken the spirit of 
the people; and his own loss in men, nearly three hundred, 
was enough to convince him that he had lost more than he had 
gained by his dastardly act. During the destruction of Fair- 



THE REV. JOHN SATRe's RECTORSHIP. 55 

field, Mr. Say re, in conjunction with Mr. Elliot, the Congrega- 
tional minister, was constantly among the people, doing his 
utmost as a faithful pastor, to succor the distressed, and if 
he possibly could, to avert the ruin that was impending. 

In a letter written from the scene of desolation, on the 
fifteenth of July, just a week after the event, Mr. Elliot says: 
" Mr. Say re, the Church of England missionary, begged Gen. 
Tryou to spare the town, but his request was denied. He 
then begged that some few houses might be spared as a 
shelter for those who could provide habitations nowhere else ; 
this was also refused." At length, according to the same 
authority, he procured a protection, under the hand of Gen. 
Tryon, for the houses of Mr. Elliot and Mr. Burr, and a 
promise that the houses of worship should be spared. All 
were, however, consumed, not excepting Mr. Sayre's own 
dwelling; he thus found himself, his wife, and eight children, 
thrown upon the street, destitute of everything except the 
garments in which they were clad. Under such circumstances, 
the parish for the time being completely prostrated, the 
Church building destroyed, the parishioners ruined, he de- 
parted to New York, where he remained several months, recrui- 
ting his health and strength, both of which he alleged, had been 
seriously impaired. Would it could be recorded that Mr. Sayre 
had remained in Fairfield, and had proved faithful to his charge ! 
Mr. Elliot's spirit certainly, was more commendable. "Not a 
house for my shelter ; two-thirds of my personal estate plundered 
and consumed ; a wife and three small children dependent on me 
for their maintenance ; I feel myself in a state of uncertainty as 
to many of the necessities of life. And yet I am willing to 
undergo any difficulties in the work of the ministry for your 
sakes." Thus he wrote immediately after the fire. Mr. 
Sayre, when he had sufficiently recovered, although he failed 
to return to Connecticut, frequently assisted his brethren, 
the Kectors of the parishes at Jamaica, Newtown, Flushing, 
and Huntington, on Long Island. Later he emigrated to Nova 



56 THE REV. JOHN SAYRE'S RECTORSHIP. 

Scotia. In a letter from thence, dated Oct., 1783, he informed 
the Venerable Society, that he had an intention of settling upon 
the river St. John, where a large number of refugees had fixed 
themselves ; that he had procured two rooms for his household, 
and had "officiated in the meeting-house of the Congregational- 
ists, with their approbation, to a numerous audience, consisting 
partly of the refugees and partly of the old settlers." He added, 
that when he left Connecticut, " he had not a change of 
raiment for himself or his family, and had been obliged to 
bori'ow money to enable him to remove to Nova Scotia." And 
not long afterwards, it was apprehended by the Society that 
his health was in a very dangerous state ; and " a gratuity 
was granted him of £25." He died in New Brunswick in 
1790. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Mr. Philo Shelton, Lay-Reader, and the Election of 

Bishop Seaburv, First Bishop of Connecticut, 

1779-1785, a. d. 

The parish at Fairfield, after the havoc wrought by the 
senseless raid of Gen. Tiyon, was reduced to great straits. 
The Church edifice, and its contents : also the parsonage 
house and furniture ; the parish records, and librai-y of more 
than a hundred volumes were destroyed. Added to this was 
the unlooked for defection of the Rector. In such a crisis, his 
presence and influence would have been of inestimable value. 
What was especially needed was some one who could serve as 
a rallying point about whom the remnant could gather. A 
month passed by, and the faithful few that were left, esteeming 
it not manly " to hang their harps upon the willows," but re- 
lying upon the promise of God, that his Church should never 
become extinct, called a meeting, which was held at the house 
of Mr. John Sherwood, at Greenfield, a Churchman whose 
zeal no amount of disaster could dampen. On this occasion 
it was mentioned that Mr. Philo Shelton of Ripton, now 
Huntington, in this State, who had recently graduated from 
Yale College, was purposing to enter Holy Orders, and was 
even now ready to serve as lay-reader should any congregation 
desire his services.* The result was, a committee was 

* Rev. Plillo Slielton was a grandson of Daniel Shelton, ( one of a family of 
fourteen children ) and was born In Ripton, now Huntington, May Tth, 1T54. He 
graduated from Yale College in 1775, just after the outbreak of the Revolutionary 
War, and soon became a candidate tor Holy Orders. While waiting for ordination, 
he married, In 1781, Lucy, daughter of Philip Nichols. Esq., of Stratford, a strong 
Churchman, and the first lay-delegate chosen to represent the Diocese of Connecti- 
cut In the General Convention of the Church. 




The Ret. Philo Shelton. 
-Et. 30. 



MR. PHILO SHELTON, LAY-READER. 59 

appointed to hire Mr. Slielton " to read " and " to officiate " 
one-third part of the time at the dwelling of Mr. Sherwood, 
one-third of the time at Stratfield, and one-third of the time 
at Weston.* We thus see Trinity Church begin its new life 
under entirely different conditions. Hitherto it had been 
nurtured by the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the 
Gospel, but henceforth it was to go forward depending solely 
upon the generosity of its own members. Naturally, the 




House of Mb. John Sherwood at Greenfield where the First Services 
WERE Held After the Fike ok 1779. 

operations of the Society in this country were ended by the 

Declaration of the Independence of the United States. Its 

work was, as it is to-day, to aid in the extension of the Gospel in 

*"At a meeting ot the Episcopal Society, on the 24 tli of August, 1779, at the 
Dwelling House of Mr. John Sherwood, In Greenfield, voted, Mr. Ezra Katlln, 
Moderator of said meeting, also voted, Hezeklah Bulkley, Junr., Clerk ; voted, 
Messrs. Daniel Wheeler, Peter Bulkley, and Ezra Katlln, a Committee to apply to 
Mr. Shelton at Rlpton, In order to hire him to Efflclate for them If Mr. Shelton will 
please to come ; voted also the first Sunday that we have a Church, It Is to be at 
Mr. John Sherwood's Dwelling House, the next at Stratford, the next at North 
Fairfield." This Is the first entry In the Parish Record, hegun after the fire In 1779. 



60 ME. PHILO SHELTON, LAY-HEADER. 

the dependencies of Great Britain. Every Episcopalian in this 
Country, and especially this Diocese, owes it, however, a debt 
of the weightiest character, for the wise and lavish efforts it 
put forth to plant the Church of the Living God in these 
Colonies. Its ministers were self-sacrificing and Christ-like 
men. They had a reason for the hope that was in them. They 
preached sound doctrine ; they taught the young their Cate- 
chism ; they instructed the people in that Faith which " was 
once delivei'ed to the saints.'' They believed that the Church 
is of God, and not of man: that it is the Ark of God, into 
which Christians enter at their Baptism, and in which, if they 
are faithful to the end, they shall safely ride the billows of this 
tempestuous sea, and at last reach the Haven where they would 
be. May we of this generation, show our gratitude for what 
was done for us in the past, by giving as willingly on our part 
of our means, and our efforts, to extend our Apostolic Church 
everywhere, abroad as well as at home ! 

One of the imperative requirements of the Church in America, 
for many years, was a Bishop. Before the Revolution, it had 
been the custom for those desiring Holy Orders to resort to Eng- 
land for ordination, thusnecessitatingalongjourney, which was 
not only costly but full of perils. As the Episcopate is the 
centre from which all effective administration of the Church 
issues ; as without it there can be no confirming of those who 
have come to years of discretion, no ordaining of clergy, no 
consecration of Churches, the question arises, why did not the 
Church in England send a Bishop into these Western parts 
long before? The Rev. Mr. Pigot, writing to the Venerable 
Society in 1722, plead for such a boon; the Rev. Dr. Cutler, 
and especially the Rev. Mr. Johnson, followed up his effort at 
a later date, with even more fervor. In a letter to the Arch- 
bishop of Canterbury written in 1766 ; the latter says : " I have 
the great mortification and grief to inform your Grace, that 
those two hopeful young men who were ordained last, had 
the misfortune to be lost on their arrival on the coast, the 



MB. PHILO SHELTON, LAY-READEK. 61 

ship beiug dashed to pieces, and only four lives saved out of 
twenty-eight. These two make up ten valuable lives that have 
now been lost, for want of ordaining power here, out of Mty- 
one, (nigh one in five) that have gone for Orders from hence. 
I consider the Church here for want of Bishops, in no other 
light than as beiug really in a state of persecution. Will the 
mother-country have no bowels of compassion for her poor 
depressed destitute children of the established Church (prob- 
ably a million of them) dispersed into these remote regions'?" 
The Rev. "Matthew Graves writing to the Venerable Society, 
1771, says: "The blessing of a Bishop would make true religion 
overspread the laud. Hasten, hasten, O Lord! a truly spirit- 
ual overseer to this despised, abused, persecuted part of the 
vineyard, for Christ Jesus' sake, Amen! Amen!" 

It must be borue in mind that the importance of sending 
at least one Bishop to America, had engaged the attention of 
the Venerable Society, from the very beginning of its existence. 
As early as 1712, "a draught of a bill was ordered proper to be 
offered to Parliament, for establishing Bishops aud Bishoprics 
in America."' In 1717 the Bishop of London, reported to the 
Society, a benefaction of £1,000 sterling, toward the mainte- 
nance of a Bishop in America, from a person who desired to be 
unknown. In 1718, the Hon. Elihu Yale of London, the 
principal benefactor of Yale College, from whom the institution 
derived its name, had subscribed £50 towards the same object. 
What stood in the way of sending a Bishop to America? 
The English Parliament: it is a fact of history that a majority 
of its members were always ready to listen to those opposed to 
the welfare of the Church across the sea. They were told it 
would "Episcopize the Colonies ; beget rebellion on the part 
of those who would hazard everything dear to them, their 
estates, their very lives, rather than to suffer their necks to be 
put under that yoke of bondage which was so sadly galling 
to their fathers;" and the result was they legislated against it- 
Many Bishops and Clergy, were heartily in accord with the 



€2 ME. PHILO SHELTON, LAY-KEADEE. 

project, bat the Church was tied hand and foot by its cou- 
nection with the State. The successful issue of the Revolution, 
while it was a "bridge of sighs" so far as further financial aid 
from England was concerned, speedily solved this problem. 
Those of the clergy of Connecticut who still held their parishes, 
met at Woodbury, in the last week of March following the 
publication of peace, and elected the Rev. Samuel Seabury to 
be their Bishop. That he might receive consecration, the 
Bishop-elect journeyed to England ; and after nearly a year 
of opposition and discouragement, such as would have appalled 
an ordinary man, realizing that success could only be achieved 
in a different quarter, he turned to the Non-juring Bishops 
of the Church of Scotland; and on the llth of November, 1784, 
he was consecrated a Bishop of the Church of God.* No words 
can measure the importance of that act. It ultimately forced 
the English Parliament to do for the Church in America, that 
which was absolutely necessary for its existence, and which 
should gladly have been done long before. Bishop Seabury 
was absent from this country two whole years ; and in the 
letter which he wrote from London to the clergy of Connecti- 
cut, after his return from Scotland, he said : "My own pov- 
erty is one of the greatest discouragements I have to bear with. 
Two years' absence from my family, and expensive residence 
here, have more than expended all I had. But in so good a 
cause, and of such magnitude, something must be risked by 
somebody. To my lot it has fallen : I have done it cheer- 
fully, and despair not of a happy issue." He reached New 
London, June 29th, 1785. No noise attended this first and 
undisguised entrance of a Bishop upon the soil of New 

* Blsliop Seabury was consecrated In old St. Andrew's, Aberdeen, presentibus 
tarn e clero, quajn e populo testibus iiJoneis; and the edifice where the consecration 
took place was built for Bishop Skinner. It stands In an obscure part of the city, 
and is reached by a narrow lane, where no large carriages pass,— just the spot 
which one might suppose the Non-Jurors, In a time of distressful persecution, 
would select to offer their devotions, and escape the observation of their enemies. 
It was abandoned almost forty years since, on the erection of a new St. Andrew's 
in a better locality. Rev. E. A. Beardsley : The Churchman, August l, 1885. 



MR. PHILO SHELTON, LAY-READER. 



63 



England. He came as a simple Christian citizen, and not in 
any outward pomp and dignity, such as before the war for 
Independence had commenced, the adversaries of the Church 
had apprehended. " The Presbyterian ministers,'' says Wilber- 
force : " appeared to be rather alarmed ; and in consequence of 
his arrival, assumed and gave one another the style and title 
of bishops, which formerly they reprobated as a remnant of 
Popery. "* Bishop Seabury was present at the Annual Com- 




,*v^;^«r?--:^*^^ --■^:.-"^.---Vr: 



Site of Old St. Andrew's, Aberdeen, where Bishop Seabury 
WAS Consecrated. 

mencement of Yale College, in 1785, and when some one men- 
tioned the fact to President Stiles, and suggested that he 
should be invited to a seat among the distinguished personages," 
be replied that " there were already several bishops upon the 
stage, but if there was room for another he might occupy it." 
With joy did the clergy of Connecticut assemble in convention 
• Wllberforce : Hist, of the American Church, p. 213. 



64 



MR. PHILO SHELTON, LAY-READEE. 



at Middletown, on the 3rd day of August, 1785, and publicly 
welcome and recognize their Right Reverend Father in God. 
A Concordate, " ' established in mutual good faith and confi- 
dence ' at Aberdeen, and the pastoral letter of the Scottish 
Bishops, were laid before the clergy, and excited in them the 



^ 




TuE Rev. Samuel Seabdry, D. D.. First Bishop of Connecticut. 

warmest sentiments of gi'atitude and esteem." * At this 
Convention, Bishop Seabury admitted to the order of Deacons, 
the Rev. Philo Shelton ; it being the first ordination ever held 
in the United States by a duly consecrated Bishop. t Mr. 

* Beardsley : History of the Episcopal Church In Connecticut, vol. 1, p. 367. 

tRev. Mr. Shelton was one of the four admitted to the Diaconate by Bishop 
Seabury at his first ordination, held in Mlddletown, on the 3rd of August, 
1788. Mr. Ashbel Baldwin, another of the four, who afterwards became his 
nearest neighbor and friend and associate In efforts to build up the Church, 
used to say that the hands of the Bishop were first laid upon the head of Mr. 



MR. PHILO SHELTON, LAY-READEE. 65 

Shelton was now in a position that enabled him to take 
charge, as Rector, of the Church at Fairfield. Sometime 
earlier, in anticipation of his speedy ordination, a committee 
had been appointed by the parish, and the following agree- 
ment had already been entered into : " We, the subscribers, 
being appointed a committee by the several Episcopal 
Churches in the Township of Fairfield, and being fully em- 
powered by them to agree with Mr. Philo Shelton to settle 
with us as our minister, are empowered to give him for his 
maintenance One Hundred Pounds Lawful Silver Money, 
together with the use and improvement of a piece of land 
lying in Fairfield, at a place called the Round-Hill, containing 
about eight acres, which sum is to commence as soon as he 
shall become an officiating minister, and to continue as long 
as he shall pex'form Divine service among us, which sum shall 
be annually paid. And by the Powers delegated to us we do 
bind ourselves and the several parishes, to see the above 
agreement fulfilled. And until he is in Orders, we do agree 
to give him twenty-eight shillings lawful money, for every 
Sunday he shall officiate among us. And whereas there are 
three several places where Episcopal members assemble for 
public worship, viz : Fairfield, North Fairfield and Stratfield, 
Mr. Shelton is to hold Church at the places according to the 
listof members that attend, and belong to the several Churches. 
In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 
24th day of February, 1785. 

Ezra Kirtland, Thomas L. CoUyer, 

Ozias Burr, Calvin Wheeler, 

Elijah Burritt, Moses Burr, 

Committee for Stratfield. Committee for North Fairfield. 

Daniel Meeker, Seth Sturges, 

John Sherwood, Ruben Beers, 

Ebenezer Nichols, Josiah Bulkley, 

Committee for Greenfield. Committee for Fairfield. 

Shelton, so that his name really heads the long list of clergy who have had ordi- 
nation In this country by Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Rev. E. A. 
Beardsley : The Churchman, August l, 1885. 



66 



MR. PHILO SHELTON, LAY-BEADEK. 



Joshua Jennings, Shubael Goi'ham, 

Peter Bulkley, Jonathan Coley, 

Committee for Green's Farms. Committee for Saugatuek. 

As Committee of the Old Society of Fairfield. 
From this time onwards, Mr. Shelton's ministrations were 
given without interruption, save during a brief period, two 
years after his ordination, when he was disabled by a serious 
illness. Even then the services in the three Churches were not 




^ 




First Page of the Book of Record of Trinity Parish, Containing Account of 
THE Meeting Held at Mr. John Sherwood's House, August 20, 1779. 

discontinued, for the people held a meeting and took measures 
to supply his place. The quaiutuess of the original record 
may provoke a smile ; for the meeting being warned, " to hire 
some suitable person to ''carry on' instead of Mr. Shelton, until 
he should get better,"' it was voted that the moderator of the 



MR. PHILO SHELTON, LAY-READER. 67 

meeting, Mr, Jonathan Bulkley, should '•'■ carry on ;" and still 
later a definite arrangement was authorized with the contigu- 
ous Churches to "hire a man to ^ carry on ' for three months."* 
There are several votes of this kind, which plainly show that 
^' carrying on " was the old-time expression for conducting 
Divine service. 
* Rev. N. E. Cornwall's Historical Discourse 1851, p. 42. 



* 



CHAPTEK X. 



The Rev. Philo Shelton's Rectorship. The Building of 
THE Third Church at Mill Plain, 1785-1825, a. d. 

After the destruction by Gen. Tryon's troops, of the second 
Church erected by Trinity parish, the congregation, so much 
of it as was left, met for worship in private houses, first, as 
has been stated, at Mr. John Sherwood's, in Greenfield ; then 
at Capt. Hezekiah Sturges', in Fairfield. This arrangement 
continued until the Prime Ancient Society of Fairfield village 
had finished its new sanctuary, and thereby vacated the 
Town-House, which in turn, was used by the Church-people 
until 1790. During the decade that had elapsed since the 
fire, two questions had begun to agitate the minds of those 
who were interested in Episcopacy in the Town of Fairfield ; 
when and where shall the new Church be built ? Financially 
and numerically, the village of Fairfield was at alow ebb. Its 
former prosperity had departed. That many of the old 
inhabitants were scattered abroad by the calamity which had 
befallen them, and that the social and business aspects of the 
community were greatly altered, are manifest from the 
language of a certain vote in 1783, concerning, " all persons 
formerly inhabitants of the town, who had been so long gone 
fi'om this to any other town, that they might be presumed to 
have gained settlement there." This is a language which 
plainly implies that an extensive dispersion of the former 
inhabitants had taken place. And such was the fact. A 
formidable rival, the near-by city of Bridgeport, formerly 
Stratfield, was rapidly growing in importance. Ah'eady the 
Courts of the County, which formerly had helped to make 



THE REV. PHILO SBELTON S RECTORSHIP. 



69 



Fairfield a great legal centre, had been absorbed by it. 
Besides, the harbor advantages of Mill River, here in our own 
village of Southport, as it is now called, were attracting 
attention ; while Greenfield Hill, Green's Farms, Saugatuck, 
were all becoming more and more populous. Upon the rate 
list for 1799, preserved in the records of the parish, fifty 
names are found, which were not upon that of 1789. Of 




J 



The Third Church Edifice, Mill Plain. 

these fifty, nineteen lived in Fairfield, including what is now 
Southport ; twenty-one in Greenfield ; three in Green's Farms; 
and seven in Saugatuck. The question then as to where 
the new Church edifice should be erected easily became a 
burning one. There were those who favored building upon 
the former site, on the highway, near the Old Field Gate, 
eighty rods west of the Px'ime Ancient Society's Meeting- 
house ; while there were those who insisted upon going to Mill 
Plain, almost a mile distant, quite close by the spot where the 



70 THE REV. PHILO SHELTOn's RECTORSHIP. 

first Church was built, for the reason that that neighborhood 
was more convenient to the larger proportion of the parish- 
ioners. At first the advocates for the old site prevailed. At 
a meeting held at the Town-House, Jan. 9th, 1799, a " clear, "^ 
that is, a unanimous vote, was passed " that a Church be 
built and erected for Divine worship on the ground where the 
late Church stood, and which was unhappily consumed by 
fire." On April 10th, of the same year, at a meeting held at 
the house of Mr. Nathaniel Perry, another " clear " vote wa» 
passed, " that a Church be built on Mill Plain, so called^ 
where Jonathan Sturges, and Thadeus Burr, drove the stake 
by appointment of the Town, and that all former action with 
regard to building a Church be null and void." There was no 
change of purpose after this. The parish forthwith, began 
preparations to build. Dimensions of the edifice were ordered 
to be forty-eight, by thirty-five feet. Ichabod Burr wa» 
appointed a committee to get the timber for said house, and 
deliver it on Mill Plain. It was voted to have 8 x 10 window 
glass ; shingles three feet in length, and a circular roof ; the 
steeple was also to " go on " with the rest of the building. 
This, the third Church-structure, described by Mr. Shelton, 
in his brief Sketch of the Parish as " a pretty decent building, 
with a steeple and bell, and a gallery accross the end," was 
dedicated the 5th of September, 1790, when a sei'mon suitable 
to the occasion was preached by the Rector. The completion 
of the Church, and its consecration by Bishop Jarvis did not 
take place, however, until October 18th, 1798.* The Instru- 
ment of Donation is still extant, and is replete with the true 
Church spirit : 

"At a meeting of the Church-Wardens, Vestrymen and 
Parishioners of Trinity Church in Fairfield, on the 2nd day of 
May, 1795, it was unanimously resolved and voted that as 
Almighty God had been pleased to put it into their heads to 

•For location see map of Cliurcli-sltes, p. .33. 



THE REV. PHILO SHELTON's RECTORSHIP. 71 

build a new Church for the Celebration of His Worship 
according to the Litur<ify of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
of the United States of America, and had in the course of His 
good Providence enabled them so far to finish it as to render it 
fit for public use according to their best abilities, it was their 
full purpose and earnest desire that the said new Church be 




The Right Rev. Abraham Jakvis, D. D., 
Second Bishop of Connecticut. 

called Trinity Church, and be dedicated to the worship and 
service of Almighty God according to the Liturgy aforesaid. 
We, therefore, the Church-Wardens, Vestrymen, and Parish- 
ioners of Trinity Church, do for us and our successors, dedi- 
cate, appropriate, give and grant the said Church by us 
erected unto Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, to be conse- 



72 THE REV. PHILO SHELTOn's RECTORSHIP. 

crated and used for His Service and Worship according to the 
Liturgy aforesaid, divesting ourselves of all right and title 
and disclaiming all authority to employ it hereafter to any 
common or profane use. And we, the Church- Wardens, 
Vestrymen, and Parishioners aforesaid, do further resolve and 
vote that the two Church-Wardens, Mess. Reuben Beers and 
Samuel Meeker, do in our name and in our behalf, sign and 
seal this Instrument of Dedication, and do acquaint the Right 
Rev. Dr. Jarvis, our Diocesan Bishop therewith, and request 
that he would consecrate the said new Church to Almighty 
God and set it apart to be forever hereafter in His Service 
and His Worship, promising, so far as in us lies, to take care 
of the repairs of said Church, that it may be left, together 
with its furniture, sacred utensils, and books in a decent state 
for the Celebration of Divine Service : and also that we will, 
as God shall enable us, endeavor always to preserve and 
support a minister in Priest's Orders to Celebrate God's Holy 
Worship according to the Liturgy aforesaid. In witness 
whereof, we, the said Church-Wardens, have herewith set our 
hands and seals the day and year before mentioned. 

Reuben Beers, 
Samuel Meeker. 
There are those still with us who worshipped in this 
Church on Mill Plain, and who remember well the primi- 
tive arrangements that characterized it, and which made it 
so vastly different from the commodious edifice in which we 
worship at the present time. At first it had no stove. Stoves 
were a rai'e luxury in those days, for the use of anthracite 
coal began at a far later date. The women used " foot-stoves," 
( which may yet be found as relics, in the attics of old houses ; 
the writer has one which he prizes highly, which belonged to 
the late Mrs. Francis D. Perry), or heated bricks, or stones, to 
warm their feet. Certain of the parishioners, living close by, 
took upon themselves to make extra fires on ver}' cold Sundays, 
to supply the foot-stoves with live coals. A simple but high 



THE EEV. PHILO SHELTON 8 RECTORSHIP. 



73 



reading-desk, held the great Bible, and Book of Common 
Prayer. Behind and above the reading-desk was the pulpit, 
which was reached by a short flight of stairs. The Commu- 
nion-Table stood quite in front. During the service the con- 
gregation remained seated ; and it required the action of the 
House of Bishops in 1814, to free those who desired to stand 
during the act of praise, from the imputation of introducing 
"a dangerous ritual innovation," Further than this simple 
modification, the service was precisely that in which Church- 
-people now participate every Sunday. The Church's Worship, 
in its essentials, never alters. The fathers drew near to 




Foot Stove Used in the Mill Plain Church. 
Ood in Litany, Collect, and General Confession ; they 
praised the Most High in Venite, Jubilate, and TeDeum, 
and could they be in the flesh again, they would behold their 
children's children using the same old Prayer Book, un- 
changing and unchangeable " amid the wrecks of time ; " and 
finding its words as did they, not mere " forms," but full and 
satisfactory expressions of the soul's deepest needs. 

There is nothing in the Parish Record anterior to the year 
1800, that touches upon other matters than Church-rates and 
Church-building, save one : In 1786, a committee was ap- 
pointed " to make inquiry and endeavor to find out what 



74 THE KEY. PHILO SHELTON's RECTORSHIP. 

became of the plate,* for Commuuion Service, which belonged 
to the Church, and was taken from the Rev. Mr. Sayre, and 
take method for recovering the same ; also the iron taken 
from the Church, with the stone ; also the stone from Mr. 
Sayre's house, the parsonage." Andrew Eliot, in a letter^ 
1779, to his brother, the Congregational minister at Fairfield, 
no doubt explains the disappearance of the silver. " The 
Hessians were first let loose for rapine and plunder. They 
entered houses, attacked the persons of Whigs and Tories- 
indiscriminately ; breaking open trunks, desks, closets, and 
taking away everything of value. They robbed women of 
buckles, rings, bonnets, aprons, and handkerchiefs. Looking- 
glasses, china, and all kinds of furniture were soon dashed iu 
pieces. Another party who behaved badly, were the American 
refugees, who, in revenge for their confiscated estates, carried 
on the same direful business." 

So far as is known, no trace of the ancient Communion 
Service has ever been found. A silver paten, long iu the 
possession of the parish, and thought by certain parishioners 
to be, possibly, a part of it, was given, it has been ascertained,^ 
by Mrs. Jeremiah Sturges, as a memoi-ial of her father, the 
late Rev. Philo Shelton, Easter Day, 1826. 

♦ A solid silver Service presented to the parish by Mr. St. George Talbot In 1762. 



CHAPTER XI. 



Rev. Philo Shelton's Rectorship Continued: The Lottery 

FOR THE Relief of Trinity Parish, and the Founding 

OF the Bible and Prayer Book Society. 

Bishop Hobart's Visitation, 1817- 

1820, a. d. 

Quite a notable event, bearing upon the history of Trinity 
Church, to which reference should be made, was the organiza- 
tion of a lottery, for the replenishment of the parish treasury. 
This was permissible under the Colonial laws, and does not 
appear to have done violence to the religious sentiment of the 
age. Indeed, lotteries were then greatly in vogue.* In 1 774, " a 
lottery of £4,000 was projected to purchase a piece of ground, 
and erect a Church thereon for a congregation of the Church 
of England, which now assemble in Horse and Cart street, 
( now William's ), New York." A month after, another lottery 
" was devised to erect a Church in Brooklyn, under the patro- 

* Money was mucb needed. Taxes the people would not bear. To Issue bonds 
would have been useless for the authorities could not have insured the interest on 
them for a week. Lotteries, therefore, sprang up, and In a short time there was a 
wheel In every city and In every town. Wherever there was a bridge to be thrown 
across a stream, a school-house built, a street paved, a road repaired, a manufac- 
turing company to be aided, a church assisted, or a college treasury to be replen- 
ished, a lottery bill was passed by the Legislature, a wheel procured, a notice put 
In the papers, and often In a few weeks the needed money was raised. It was with 
the money collected from the sale of lottery tickets that Massachusetts encour- 
aged cotton-spinning, and paid the salaries of many of her officers; that the City 
Hall was enlarged at New Y'ork ; that the Court House was built at Elizabeth ; that 
the library was increased at Harvard ; that many of the most pretentious build- 
ings were put up at the Federal city. The custom. Indeed, continued for several 
years, and the " state of the Wheel " became as regular an item In the papers as 
the ship news or prices current. McMasters : History of the People of the United 
States, Vol, 1. p. 588. 



76 THE REV. PHILO SHELTON's RECTOESHIP. 

nage of the Rector and Vestry of Trinity Church." This was 
the beginning of St. Ann's Church. Later a lottery was 
arranged for at Hempstead, called the " Church Glebe Lottery" 
with " not two blanks to a prize." 

The fact was, that although quite two-score years had 
passed, Trinity parish had not recovered from the severe 
losses which befell it, by the destruction of Church and 
parsonage, and library in 1779 ; nor had it, in its impoverished 
conditiou, ceased to feel the financial strain caused by the 
erection of a new Church edifice, and its proper equipment 
for Divine worship. It was for these reasons that the 
authorities of the parish applied to the Legislature of the 
State, in the year 1818, " for the grant of a lottery, with 
liberty and authority to raise thereby the sum of six thousand 
dollars, as a remuneration for the Losses sustained by the 
parish, at the burning of the town." The application itself, 
explains and justifies the step thus taken so fully, that it is 
herewith reproduced : " Jeremiah Sturges, the present Clerk 
of the Episcopal Society at Fairfield, after considering the 
very low state of the Church, without any friends, and the 
great difficulty of raising money enough by Taxes on the 
members, to support the clergyman in the one-third part of 
his services, notwithstanding his small pittance of one hundred 
and eleven dollars and eleven cents per annum, and deeming 
it almost impossible to raise even that small sum by taxes, at 
a meeting of the parish held March 23, 1818, di-ew up the 
following petition " which was presented to the Hon. Gen. 
Assembl}' by the Gentlemen Representatives from this Town, 
( viz.) Gideon Tomlinson, Esq., and Mr. Thos. F. Rowland. 

" To the Hon. Gen. Assembly of the State of Connecticut 
to be holden at Hartford, in said State, on the second Thursday 
of May next. The petition of Abraham Bulkley, Walter 
Sherwood, Hull Sherwood, Jesse Banks, and David Jennings, 
Wardens and Vestry of the Episcopal Church in the Town of 
Fairfield, in the County of Fairfield, and the rest of the 



THE KEV. PHILO SHELTON's EECTOKSHIP. 77 

subscribers hereunto, members of said Church, humbly showeth 
that the Church in Fairfield, together with the Parsonage 
House, Barn, and Out Houses, was burned by the British 
Troops, under Tryon, in the Revolutionary War, at the time 
that the Town of Fairfield was burnt in the year 1779, and 
that the plate to a considerable amount, belonging to said 
Church, was at the same time carried away by the enemy; 
now your petitioners would further inform the Hon. Gen. 
Assembly that with the funds that they heretofore held, and 
the small Grand List of less than one thousand dollars, they 
have been about twenty-seven years engaged in building 
another small house for public worship, but have been unable 
to complete the same, and in doing it they have been obliged 
to dispose of all their funds, and sell the pi'incipal part 
of their glebe lands, which was heretofore appropriated 
for the support of their clergyman, which altogether, has 
proved a Loss, or Burthen to the said Church, in conse- 
quence of which the members, with all their Zeal and 
Exertion find it vei'y difficult and almost impossible for them 
to finish said Church, and at the same time to support their 
clergyman. Now your petitioners would further inform the 
Hon. Gen. Assembly that notwithstanding all Individuals and 
many Ecclesiastical Societies, that suffered Losses by the fire 
of so barbarous an enemy in the Revolutionary War, have by 
the Bounty of the Hon. Gen. Assembly, in some measure, 
been Remunerated, and knowing that all Societies and Indi- 
viduals who suffered Losses by the fire of the enemy are 
equally entitled to the Bounty of the Hon. Legislature, to 
whom they have never applied in vain. 

Your petitioners never intended, nor would they ask for 
any indemnity for their Losses, could they possibly surmount 
them by their own exertions. 

Wherefore your petitioners appeal to the Hon. Gen. 
Assembly as the only Resource from which they can expect 
any Relief for their great Losses, and Burthen, and praying 



78 THE REV. PHILO SHELTON's BECTORSHIP. 

your Honours to take their case into your wise consideration 
and grant them a lottery to raise the sum of Ten Thousand 
Dollars, not as a Remuneration for their Losses, or, in some 
other way grant Relief, and as in Duty Bound will ever pray. 
Dated at Fairfield, this Abraham Bulkley, 

sixth day of April, 1818. Walter Sherwood, 

David Jennings, 
Jesse Banks, 
Hull Sherwood, 
Jeremiah Sturges, 
Wm. Robinson, 
Abel Beers. 

jy^^ilL ^^ AUTHORirY OF THE StATE OF CONNECTICUT. 

i^tki't / '~T CLASS ir. 



^^'^■<)..JLY(?.^^^^^^ Fairfield Episcopal Society Lottery, 

&\ A, y ^^•''' "• 

|,-(\">,\ll J'rriHI S^ TICK Er shall entitle the p05Sfs?r>r to such PRIZE as Bav he drawn fo its 
fVsi! i<.<J'''i !. ' HiBiber, in llie above named Lollery, iccording to the ternn ot the Schecae 
l-sB "jj' ' Subject to a Jedin 



,„ , „, , J — ._ _ Uediicljoii of fifleeu per cent. 

Fac Simile of Lottery Ticket. 
The answer to this appeal was permission to organize a 
lottery scheme that would give the parish a net sum of six 
thousand dollars, and a committee was appointed to carry out 
the project. February 9th, 1825, Jeremiah Sturges, the 
clerk of the parish, upon whom the chief part of the labor 
connected with the administration of the lottery, it would 
seem, had devolved, made his final report concerning it, 
which was duly accepted. He figured the total proceeds at 
$4,752.13, or thereabouts. The interest of the lottery fund 
was voted year after year to Mr. Shelton, in payment of 
salary. Subsequently portions of the principal were used to 
pay parish debts ; by the time the next Rector came in, it had 
all disappeared ! 



THE REV. PHILO SHELTON's RECTORSHIP. 79 

In the same year that the lottery was applied for, an 
imdertakiug of a different nature, and with more promise of 
lasting results, was brought to a successful issue. When 
the Rev. Mr. Johnson, clarum et venerabile nomen, who 
has been mentioned before in these pages, was a Congre- 
gational minister at West Haven, it will be remembered 
that he committed to memory, and used, as occasion required, 
in public worship, portions of the Book of Common Prayer, 
to the comfort of himself, and the edification of his flock. So 
much were they admired that, we are told, " it was common 
for persons belonging to the neighboring churches to come to 
West Haven on purpose to hear them. To this day it re- 
mains true that there is no better advocate for the Church, in 
any household, than the Prayer Book. Possessed with this 
view, a number of laymen, members of Trinity Church, met 
on the first day of January, 1818 ; and under the guidance of 
the Eector, Rev. PhiloShelton, formed " The Bible and Prayer 
Book Society of Trinity Parish." The object was stated to be 
the gratuitous distribution of the two volumes mentioned, 
first, in Trinity parish ; next, in Fairfield County ; afterwards, 
if the funds warranted such expenditure, in the Diocese of 
Connecticut, or in the Church at large. A constitution was 
adopted, officers elected, subscriptions received, and the work of 
distribution at once begun. No better thing, the present 
Rector of Trinity parish, who writes these Annals, feels con- 
strained to say, has ever been done by it, than the founding 
of this admirable Society. The common complaint is, the 
masses are ignorant of the Church. It is then, the highest 
wisdom for us to circulate the Prayer Book among those to 
whom the Chui'ch is unknown. When people read those 
sublime prayers, which have been offered by king and peasant, 
as well as by martyrs going joyfully to the stake, and still are 
as applicable to their wants as if composed yesterday ; and 
become imbued with their chaste language and terse style, 
and compare them with mere extemporaneous efforts, they 



80 



THE REV. PHILO SHELTON S RECTORSHIP. 



will begin to comprehend that there are worse prayers than 
are read from a book, and that they cau come from the heart 
without being prepared for the occasion. Besides, the Prayer 
Book cau enter many a house where our clergy cannot find a 




The Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, D. D., 
In Charge of the Diocese of Connecticut, June, 1816, to June, 1819. 



welcome. Acting as a " silent missionary," it may, as it often 
has done, prove a solvent of sectarian bitterness, by showing 
that Church doctrine is only Bible ti'uth ; and that Calvin's 



THE BEV. PHILO SHELTON's RECTORSHIP. 81 

theories, or those of Arminius, are not comparable to the 
simple Faith, once delivered to the Saints, as the old Apostolic 
Church holds and teaches it. 

The Bible and Prayer Book Society is still in active exist- 
ence (1898), and has given away, since its organization, nearly 
six thousand volumes. Its invested fund amounts to $561.12. 
Thus, the good it has accomplished is veorthy of the highest 
praise. The results of it in all their fulness, that great Day, 
when all that is hidden shall be revealed, can only make known. 

After the death of Bishop Jarvis, the Bishop of New York, 
the Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, had the temporary over- 
sight of the Church in Connecticut. On the 6th of August, 
1817, he came to Fairfield, where he remained a week, making 
the place his headquarters, but visiting the meanwhile, 
Weston, Wilton, and Redding. In the Church at Mill Plain, 
on the 12th of August, he confirmed thirty candidates, all of 
whose names will be found in the appendix. At Tashua, the 
following week, he confirmed eighty-two, the largest class 
presented to him on this visitation, except the class at 
Chatham, (now Portland), which numbered one hundred and 
two. Truly, those were the days when the Church had an 
ii-resistible attraction for the multitude, and it proves that 
weariness of the leanness and uncertainties of man-made 
religious systems, is by no means a development peculiar to 
these modern days. 



CHAPTER XII. 



Latter Years of Rev. Philo Shelton's Rectorship. 

Mr. Shelton was exceptionally successful in the performance of 
the duties pertaining to two Rectorships. The parishioners 
of Trinity Church, at Fairfield, were devoted to him, while 
St. John's Church, at Bridgeport, under his care, grew to be 
one of the strongest and most flourishing in the Diocese. 
The initial services at Stratfield, were held, as has been 
already mentioned, by the Rev. Mr. Lamson in 1748, and the 
first parish Church was consecrated by Bishop Seabury. in 
1789, being " the third in order of consecration, and the 
eighteenth in order of erection, in the Connecticut Diocese. 
It was built on the corner of the King's Highway, and Church 
Lane. Among the chief donors were Col. John Burr, Samuel 
Beardsley, Timothy "Wheeler, Richard Booth, Joseph Seeley, 
and John Nichols. The population later began to drift 
eastward, and in 1801, it was deemed advisable to demolish 
the old Church, and build a new one in a more advantageous 
location. The second edifice was so far completed that it 
could be used for public worship in the beginning of Advent ; 
and two years later, " the ground floor was sold at public 
vendue for the purpose of building the pews and seats thereon, 
and finishing the Church." The sum raised by the sale, 
amounted to between six and seven hundred dollars. The 
cost of the building over and above this, was thirty-five 
hundred dollars, which was met by the voluntary contribu- 
tions of the people. Mr. Shelton in speaking of the comple- 
tion of the whole work, said : " It had been conducted in 
harmony, with good prudence, strict economy, and a degree 



THE REV. PHILO SHELTON's RECTORSHIP. 83 

of elegance and taste that does honor to the committee, and 
adds respectability to the place." But even this second 
removal of St. John's was not final. In a score of years, a 
third edifice was found to be necessary. This was located on 
the corner of Cannon and Broad streets, the site, eligibly 
located, having been presented by Phillip Cannon, Esq., Mrs. 
Shelton's brother-in-law. In these two successive Churches, 
belonging to St. John's parish, Mr. Shelton ministered most 
acceptably, one half of his time being given to Trinity Church, 
Fairfield, until 1824, when failing health, and a disposition 
manifested by the congregation of St. John's to have the 
undivided services of a clergyman, induced him to hand in 
his resignation. Among his papers, the following interesting 
data, pertaining to the last year of his joint Rectorship, were 
found : 

Parocbiales Notitise for Fairfield and Bridgeport : 

Philo Shelton, Rector, Easter, 1823, to Easter, 1824. 

Baptisms in the two Churches, Infant, 16 ; 
Adult, 1, 

Marriages, 

Funerals, 

New Communicants in Fairfield, 

" " Bridgeport, 

Communicants in Fairfield, 

" " Bridgeport, 

" The congregation in Fairfield is not large, but very attentive 
and devout in Church. My services have been wholly confined to 
them since Easter, having at that time relinquished Bridge- 
port to my assistant, the Rev. Mr. Judah." 
Fairfield, June the 1st, 1824. 

As intimated above, Mr. Shelton gave all his time to the 
Church at Fairfield, after his health began to fail, and be had 
resigned the rectorship of St. John's, Bridgeport ; but he did 
not long survive the changed condition of afi'airs. He died on the 
27th of February, 1825, and was buried under the chancel of the 





17 




6 




16 


II 


12 




78 




120 



84 THE REV. PHILO SHELTOn's RECTORSHIP. 

Churcb at Mill Plain, at the altar of which he had ministered 
for more than forty years. A marble tablet was provided by 
the congregation to mark his resting place, on which, among 
other things, were inscribed the date of his birth, graduation, 
admission to Holy Orders, and the words, " The First Clergy- 
man Episcopally ordained in the United States." The body 
was afterwards removed, at the charge of the Wardens and 
Vestry, to Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport, and an 
imposing monument, finely chiseled, in Italian marble, was 
placed over it, on which is inscribed : 

In Memory 

OF THE 

EEV. PHILO SHELTON, A. B. 

Born in Huntington, 1754. Died in 1825. 

Graduated at Yale College in 1775, and was forty years 

Rector of St. John's Church, Bridgeport, and of 

Trinity Church, Fairfield, with the charge 

also of the Church in Weston, for 

many years. 

" A faithful Pastor, a guileless and godly man. For 

twenty-four years member of the Standing Committee of the 

Diocese, a firm supporter of Ecclesiastical Authority, and a 

gentle, but steady upholder of primitive and Apostolic Order. 

He was one of the four who first received ordination from the 

hands of the first American Bishop, the Right Rev. Samuel 

Seabury, D, D., who commenced on this Continent, in its full 

offices, the one Catholic and Apostolic Church, in the certain 

faith that it would continue to the end of the world. This 

monument is erected as a tribute of filial affection, and in 

grateful remembrance of the piety and virtue of loved and 

honored parents." 

Mr. Shelton's passing away was universally lamented. It 
was felt that a good man, one whose noble life was open and 
manifest to the world, had been taken out of it. At the 
Diocesan Convention, held June 1st, 1825, Bishop Brownell 



THE REV. PHILO SHELTOn's RECTORSHIP. 85 

remarked in his address : " He has faithfully and successfully 
labored for almost forty years in the parish from which his 
Divine Maker has now called him to his rest. He has taken 
an important part in the Ecclesiastical concerns of the 
Diocese, from the period of its first organization ; and the 
moderation and prudence of his counsels have contributed in 
no small degree to the welfare of the Church. For simplicity 
of character, amiable manners, unaffected piety, and a faithful 




Home of Rev. Philo Shelton, 
Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, Conn. 

devotion to the duties of the ministerial office, he has left be- 
hind an example, by which all his surviving brethren may 
profit, and which few of them can hope to surpass." 

A few days after Mr. Shelton's decease, the committee 
appointed by the parishioners of Ti'inity Church, forwarded 
the following letter of condolence to the bereaved widow : 
*' Mrs. Shelton, Madam : We are appointed a committee and 
directed to wait upon and tender you the sincere condolence 



86 THE REV. PHILO SHELTON's RECTORSHIP- 

of ourselves and the rest of the members of the Episcopal 
Society at Fairfield, for the great and grievous loss which you 
have sustained in the bereavement by death of our worthy, 
respected, and beloved Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Shelton, your 
late consort, and our best friend. Our sincere and humble 
prayers are offered to Almighty God, that his loss may be 
sanctified to you and your family, through the merits of Jesus 
Christ, our Saviour, and we humbly pray that He will have 
you in His Holy keeping, and that you may bear the loss with 
Christian fortitude, trusting in the widows' and the orphans' 
God for support and comfort. The loss to you, to us, and to 
those we represent, we feel to be great, and sincex'ely lament 
it, but humbly submit to the will of the Almighty, for He 
gave and He taketh away, therefore, blessed be the name of 
the Lord. 

As the Rev. Mr. Shelton has been our Pastor, and spiritual 
Advisor for more than forty years, and has built us up, and 
kept us together as a Christian Church, we in our own names, 
and by the special direction of the rest of the members of 
the Episcopal Society, hereby beg and request that you will 
permit us to show our gratitude and respect for him by 
burying him under the Church in Mill Plain, and by erecting 
a proper monument over his body, commemorative of his 
worth, and merits, and of our love and affection for him. By 
complying, you will confer a great favor on your sincere 

friends and humble servants. 

Walter Sherwood, 

Hull Sherwood. 

Committee from the Wardens and Vestry, and the members 

of the Episcopal Society in Fairfield." 

The Bishop of the Diocese also wrote : 

Hartford, March 17, 1825. 
My Bear Mrs. Shelton : 

I should have been with you in your affliction, to assure 
you of my sympathy and friendship, had it not been for the 



THE REV. PHILO SHELTON S RECTORSHIP. 



87 



extreme badness of the roads, and a slight attack of the pre- 
vailing influenza. I feel that I have lost one of my best 
friends and counsellors, and that the Diocese has lost one of 
its best patterns of ministerial faithfulness, and Christian 
simplicity : but our loss is nothing in comparison with yours. 
It is true, that with the constitution and unimpaired faculties 




Right Rev. Thomas C. Bkownell, D. D., 
Third Bishop op Connecticdt. 

of your late husband, we might have hoped that he would 
have been spared to us for several years to come ; yet we 
ought rather to be grateful that he was preserved so long, 
and that he was taken away in the full maturity of his years 
— "like a shock of corn, fully ripe." Let this thought, my 
dear Madam, console you. It is the will of God, of a Being 
of infinite wisdom, who knows what is best for us, for our 



88 THE EEV. PHILO SHELTOn's KECTOESHIP. 

friends, for the Church : a Being, -whose every act is ordered 
in mercy and goodness. Let us then, ever bear in mind these 
attributes, and let us reflect on the multiplied ways in 
which they have been manifested to us. We shall then have 
reason to mingle our thanksgivings with our sorrows, and 
realizing the goodness and loving kindness of God, we shall 
seek support where all sufficiency alone resides. 

Mrs. Brownell desires to unite with me in assurances of 
sympathy, and affectionate remembrances, to yourself and 
family. With great esteem, your 

Friend and Pastor, 

Thos. C. Brownell. 

Addressed : 

Mrs. Philo Shelton. 
Mrs. Shelton survived her husband thirteen years. Two 
sons entered the ministry of the Church. The younger of 
them, George Augustus Shelton, a graduate of Yale college, 
died in 1863, Rector of St. James' Church, Newtown, Long 
Island. The other, succeeded his father as Rector of Trinity 
Church, Fairfield ; and subsequently became the distinguished 
Rector of St. Paul's Church, Buffalo, the mother-parish of 
that important city. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Rectokship of Rev. William Shelton, 1825-29, a. d. 




Tht Rev. William Shelton. 

The Rev. Philo Shelton died February 27th, 1825, and 
Trinity parish, for the first time in forty years, found itself 
without a Rector. His removal speedily developed a great 
amount of incertitude. The times were hard; the congregation 
was in debt ; consequently the prospect of supporting a clergy- 
man became \evy dubious. At the last meeting of the parish, 



90 RECTORSHIP OF BEV. WILLIAM SHELTON. 

held shortly before Mr. Shelton's death, February 9th, the 
pews were rented from " Easter Monday to the first Monday 
of January next," and brought a total of fifty-thi-ee dollars 
only. March 17th, there was another meeting, at which it 
was " resolved to appropriate one hundred and forty-five 
dollars, and seventeen cents, out of the funds of the lottery, 
to defi'ay the debts against the Society." This partly ex- 
plains why before the Rev. Wm. Shelton accepted the rector- 
ship, in succession to his father, there was an effort made to 
combine the Fairfield parish, with that of Stratford. On 
April 18th, at a special meeting of the parish, it was voted, 
" that the parish of Fairfield unite with the parish of Stratford, 
in hiring or settling a clergyman, provided the two parishes 
can agree on the clergyman, and all other subjects regarding 
the hiring or settling him." Voted, " that Walter Sherwood, 
Joel B. Bulkley, and Hull Sherwood, be a committee to call 
on the Wardens and Vestry, or some committee appointed by 
the parish of Stratford, to ascertain the best terms on which 
the two parishes can unite, and report at the next meeting." 
After this action, whether it was that the parish at Stratford 
was not responsive, or that the Episcopalians of Faii-field had 
determined to raise sufficient money among themselves, to 
maintain a separate existence, a different opinion speedily 
prevailed. At another special meeting held April 25th, it was 
voted, "that the Episcopal Society of Fairfield would not unite 
with the Parish of Stratford at present." It may have been 
that an intimation that the Rev. Wm. Shelton was available, 
and the fact that the parish had a quantity of land that 
could be disposed of, the proceeds of which would help to 
pay expenses for some years to come, had a great deal to do 
with this complete reversal of opinion. Anyway, about the 
time the Rev. William Shelton began to ofiiciate, it was voted 
to sell a piece of property, known as the Roxbury Farm, be- 
longing to the parish, for eighteen hundred dollars. The 
congregation, in accordance with the doubtful policy it was 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. WILLIAM 8HELT0N. 91 

pursuing, now found itself in a position to pay the Rector's 
salary, and its other obligations. 

Extract from the Parish Record : " Nov. 1825, Sunday 
after Thanksgiving-day, Rev. Wm. Shelton began to preach, 
and left the parish, August 9th, 1829." 

The Rev. William Shelton was the son of the late Rector, 
and brought to his new charge all the fervor and sympathy 
that a life long acquaintance with it could impart. From the 
very beginning of his rectorship, his preaching drew large 
and attentive congregations ; while his unremitting house to 
house visitations won for him the hearts of all his people. 
Fairfield was the first parish he served. In his convention 
sermon, 182G, Bishop Brownell remarked : " Rev. William 
Shelton has exhibited to me letters Dimissory from the Diocese 
of New York, and has been called to the parish at Fairfield. 
Few circumstances of my life have afi'ected me with a stronger 
interest than his recent ordination in the Church at Fairfield, 
and at the altar beneath which the bones of his late venerated 
father rest in peace. He now cultivates the field where the 
same pious father so often bore the heat and burthen of the 
day, and where for more than forty years he labored in the 
service of his Divine master." 

The parish continued its prosperous career. In 1827, the list 
of communicants had increased from 50 to 80. In 1828, the 
connection between the parishes of Fail-field and Weston was 
severed. By vote of the parish, the Rector's services were here- 
after to be confined to his own people. For the first time in its 
existence, the services of its Rector were to be entirely de- 
voted to it. And this change proved ultimately the turning 
point in its later history. While Fairfield village had 
been decreasing, numerically and materially, the tiny hamlet 
located at the mouth of Mill River, one mile westward, 
had all along been steadily growing. New buildings had been 
erected, and the population had largely increased. A disposi- 
tion to change the name of the settlement from Mill River to 



92 RECTORSHIP OF REV. -^VILLIAM SHELTON. 

Southport, had also become manifest. Nor was the project 
lacking in earnest supporters. It was into this practically new 
communit}', that Mr. Shelton thought it advisable to introduce 
the Church. So far, no public religious services of any descrip- 
tion had been held in the village. In prompt pursuance of his 
plan, Mr. Shelton made abegiuning in October, 1828, in the upper 
room of the old Academy or school-house, now the well known 
residence of Mr. Jos. H. Furniss where he preached every third 




'rf-^[;f 


' 


/,ji#i 


■\ 


''\.rZ . 


*v 



J "IJif ' ht "g' 



The Old Academy. 
In This Building the First Church Services 
In Southport were Held, 

Sunday afternoon in the month. From the first, this experi- 
mental service was so well attended thatit soon became apparent 
that the real centre of the parish, the point everyway most 
convenient to the great majority of the parishioners, scat- 
tered as they were, from the village of Fairfield, to Green's 
Farms, and Saugatuck, was not Mill Plain, but Southport. 
The result was, the Church in that place became permanently 
established In 1829, Mr. Shelton received a call to St. Paul's 
Church, Buffalo, New York. With unfeigned sorrow he decided 



EECTOESHIP OF REV. WILLIAM SHELTON. 93 

to sever the pleasant relations that had existed for four years, 
and enter upon a field of labor, that partook, even in those 
days, of even a more missionary character than that connected 
with the parish at Fairfield. Mr. Shelton's connection with 
St. Paul's Church, began on his thirty-first birthday, and 
lasted for fifty-four years. He died at his ancestral home at 
Bridgeport, October 11th, 1883, having been born at the 
same place, September 11th, 1798. 



I 



CHAPTER XIY 



Rectorship of the Rev. Charles Smith. Erection of the 
Chapel at Southport, 1829-1834 a. d. 




The Rev. Charles Smith. 

The Rev. Charles Smith, succeeded the Rev. Wm. Shelton in 
1829. He was a man of positive character, fine culture, large 
experience, and the parish, under his guidance, made a percepti- 
ble and encouraging advance. The most remarkable feature 
pertaining to the four years of his Rectorship, was the growth 
of the work begun, tentatively, at Southport, by the Rev. 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. CHARLES SMITH. 95 

Wm. Shelton. As time passed, all the services held in the Acad- 
emy building, were marked by the attendance of large congre- 
gations. The need of a proper and permanent structure, to 
be used as a Chapel to the Mill Plain Churchy thus became 
apparent. The undertaking once started, speedily matured, 
and in 1832, the corner stone of a suitable building was laid 
with appropriate ceremonies, by the Rev. Francis L. Hawks, 
D. D., then Rector of St. Paul's Church, New Haven. 

This, the fourth edifice built by Trinity parish, within one 
hundred and ten years, was most advantageously located on a 
gentle eminence, in the centre of the village, and was of easy 
access to all who desired to worship God, according to the 
Episcopal Form.* Bishop Benjamin Tread well Onderdonk, of 
New York, consecrated the new Chapel, January 22nd, 1835. 

The list of contributors to the Chapel is preserved in the 
Parish Record, and contains the names of so many who were 
active in Trinity Church, or interested in it at the time, and 
whose memory is worth perpetuating, that it is given in full. 
The land was purchased of Judson Sturges, and cost $300. 
The size of the lot was seven by eight rods. The subscription 
paper reads as follows : 

" We, the subscribers, being desirous of building a House 
in the Borough of Southport, to be dedicated to the worship 
of Almighty God, according to the forms of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church, and to be known by the name of Trinity 
Chapel, belonging to the Episcopal Society in the Townof Fair- 
field, do promise to pay to Jeremiah Sturges, Esq., Treasurer of 
s'd Society, or his successor in Office, the several sums we 
have hereunto annexed to our names, and we do^hereby consti- 
tute and appoint Jeremiah Sturges, Esq., Andrew Bulkley, 
William Sherwood, Jr., Walter Bulkley, Abel Beers, the 
committee to purchase the land and to superintend the 
erecting the said building, and to draw on the Treasurer of 

* See map of Church sites, p. .33. 



96 



RECTOBSHIP OF REV. CHARLES SMITH. 



s'd Society, the amount subscribed for the above purpose, 
provided the several subscriptions hereunto annexed amount 
to two thousand dollars, one year from date. Otherwise, the 
subscriptions to be null and void. "Witness our hand. South- 
port, Januai-y 13th, 1832." 
Abel Beers, 

Jeremiah Stiirges & Son, 
Julius Pike, 
Jonathan Godfrey, 
Joseph Perry, 
Walter Bulkley, 
Judas Sherwood, 
Wni. Robinson & family 
Wm. Sherwood, Jr., 
Henr^- Perry, 
Charles Perr^^ 
Moses Bulkley, 
Aaron J. Hubbell, 
Jon. Bulkle3% 
Levi Down, 
Gordon Perry, 
W. D. Dimon, 
Stephen Osborn, 
Joseph \V. Davis, 
Walter Sherwood, 
James BulkW, 
Hezekiah Bulkley, 
Jessup Alvord, 
Lijman Betts, 
Ebenezer Dimon, 
Jon. Sturges, 
Henry Dudley, 
Anna Robinson, 
L. H. Bulkley, 

Two years only elapsed, and the attendance showing a 
constant increase, it was decided that the Chapel needed greater 
seating capacity. A second subscription paper was started, and 
in a brief space of time, the amount requisite, was pledged. 
A copy is herewith appended : " We, the subscribers, promise 



$100.00 


Wm. Bulkley, 


$100.00 


200.00 


Thos. Robinson, 


30.00 


100.00 


L. B. Wakeman, 


40.00 


50.00 


W. W. Wakeman, 


40.00 


100.00 


George Bulkley, 


40.00 


100.00 


Charles Bulkley, 


40.00 


100.00 


Hezekiah Davis, 


35.00 


, 100.00 


Andrew Bulkley, 


50.00 


50.00 


Simon Sherwood, 


25.00 


150.00 


M. A. Sherwood, 


30.00 


50.00 


B. A. Hawkins, 


25.00 


50.00 


Hull Sherwood, 


40.00 


20.00 


Joseph Jennings, 


15.00 


25.00 


Andrew Bulkley, 


10.00 


10.00 


Timothj' Williams, 


10.00 


25.00 


Aaron Jennings, 


10.00 


10.00 


Jessup Wakeman, 


50.00 


4-0.00 


E. Sherwood, 


10.00 


50.00 


Rachael Penfield, 


10.00 


50.00 


Rev. Francis L. Hawks, 


5.00 


10.00 


Eleazar Bulkle}-, 


100.00 


10.00 


Griselda and Mar}' 




10.00 


Bradley, 


50.00 


10.00 


Henry Beers, 


10.00 


40.00 


David Coley, 


5.00 


5.00 


Aaron Sherwood, 


5.00 


10.00 


R. M. Sherman, 


10.00 


5.00 


Sarah Hull. 


25.00 


50.00 







RECTORSHIP OF REV. CHARLES SMITH. 



97 



to pay to Jeremiah Sturges, Esq., Treasurer of the Episcopal 
Society of Fairfield, or his successor in office, the respective 
sums annexed to our names, for the purpose of raising the 
sum of Four Hundred Dollars, to be applied to building an 
additional square of about 12 feet in extension of the length 
of Trinity Church, in Southport, the s'd subscription not to 
be binding unless the sum of Four Hundred Dollars shall be 
raised on or before the 23rd inst. 
Southport, April 16th, 1834. 



Ladies' Association, 


$100.00 


Charles T. Nichols, 


$10.00 


Maurice Wakeman, 


25.00 


Chas. Thorp, 


10.00 


Lot Bulklej', 


25.00 


Sellick Sherman, 


10.00 


Thos. Robinson, 


25.00 


Capt. John M, 


10.00 


Wm. Bulkley, 


20.00 


David Bradley, 


10.00 


Andrew Bulkle}', 


20.00 


N. B. Alvord," 


5.00 


Simon Sherwood, 


15.00 


Geo. Robinson, 


5.00 


Smith Robinson, 


15.00 


J. B. Wakeman, 


5.00 


Moses Bulkley, 


10.00 


Chas. Thorp, additional. 


5.00 


W. B. Meeker, 


10.00 


Albert Whitmar, 


5.00 


Henry Perry, 


10.00 


Henry Beers, 


5.00 


J. W. Davis, 


10.00 


James Bulkley, 


5.00 


Henry Sturges, 


10.00 


Jessup Alvord, 


5.00 


Chas. Perr3% 


10.00 


Aaron Sherwood, Jr., 


5.00 


Hull Sherwood, 


10.00 


David Bradley, 


5.00 


Polly and Griselda 




Abel Ogden, 


3.00 


Bradley, 


10.00 


Geo. Ogden, 


2.00 


Jeremiah Sturges, 


10.00 


L. Down, 


2.50 


James Jennings, 


10.00 


Joseph Sturges, 


1.50 



Very shortly after the addition to the Chapel had been 
decided upon, Mr. Smith's failing health made it imperative 
that he should seek a cure requiring less labor on his part ; 
and the joint rectorship of two small parishes, St. Peter's 
Church, and Christ Church, at Oxford, Connecticut, having 
been offered to him, he tendered his resignation to the Vestry. 
As his ministry had been most successful, and the congrega- 
tion was devoted to him, he was strongly urged to withdraw 
it. He plead, in return, that it be accepted because of his 



98 RECTORSHIP OP REV. CHARLES SMITH. 

inability to do the work required of him, and so, with great 
reluctance, the Vestry permitted him to depart. He was a 
faithful Pastor, andj'an excellent preacher. There are still 
those living, who treasure, with great affection, the remem- 
brance of his ministrations. 



CHAPTER XV. 



Kectokship of Rev. Nathaniel E. Cornwall : Teansfer of 
Services from Mill Plain to Southport: Demoli- 
tion OF the Mill Plain Church : Building 
OF THE First Parsonage House, 
1834-1853, A. D. 




The Rev. Nathaniel E. Coknwall. 



On Mr. Smith's removal to Oxford, Trinity parish found 
itself once more without a Rector. The interregnum, however, 



100 RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL. 

proved to be of brief duration, for the Vestry soon filled the 
vacancy, by calling to the Rectorship, the Rev. Nathaniel E. 
Cornwall, one of the most faithful and efficient ministers that 
the parish has ever had. Mr. Cornwall was descended from 
some of the best known New England families. Born in 1812, 
he was educated at Cheshire Academy, in which institution, 
his father, the Rev. Asa Cornwall, was for many years an 
instructor. He was graduated at the head of his class in 
Trinity College, Hartford, and went from thence to the 
General Theological Seminary in New York. Having finished 
his studies there, he came to Southport, and officiated for the 
first time, the eighth Sunday after Trinity, 1834. The Chapel in 
Southport was just then undei'going enlargement, and not being 
quite ready for occupancy. Divine service was held, one -third 
of the time in the Academy, and two-thirds of the time in the 
Church at Mill Plain. Early in 1885, the Chapel was completed, 
and at once became the religious centre of the neighborhood. 
It was the only Church edifice at that period, in the village. 
The nearest Congregational Society was at Fairfield, a mile 
distant. The Methodists had not made their appearance. 
All who loved Christ, irrespective of denominational differ- 
ences, worshipped together in delightful accord. So remarka- 
ble was this manifestation of Christian unity, that it moved 
Mr. Frederick Marquaud, one of the leading citizens of 
Southport, and also a strong Congregationalist, to present 
Trinity Chapel with a substantial proof of his good- will. A 
copy of the letter accompanying his gift has been preserved, 
and will doubtless interest all who peruse these pages : 

New York, 30 March, 1835. 
Rev. Mr. Coi-nwall : 

Dear Sir — I take the liberty of making you the 
medium of ofi"ering to the Episcopal Society of Southport, for 
their acceptance, a silver plated Communion-Service. It is 
not of solid silver, but of a quality that will present the same 
appearance for more than half a century, ( wath the ordinary 
usage ). 



REOTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL. 101 

It is offered as a tx-ibute of my regard for the Christian 
welfare, and prosperity of the Society. With sentiments of 
esteem, 

I remain, your ob't se'v't and friend, 

Frederick Marquand. 

This Communion-Service is still in the possession of the 
parish. The popularity of Trinity Chapel, as was to be 
expected, militated against that of the old parish Church at 
Mill Plain. At the annual meeting of 1835, it was " voted, 
that Divine service shall be held at the Chapel of Trinity 
Church, at Southport, two-thirds of the time, for one year." 
At the next annual meeting, 1836, the same arrangement was 
continued. It required no prescience, therefore, to discern 
which way matters were tending. The parish had two Houses 
of Worship ; one in a thinly settled location ; the other in the 
midst of a thriving village. Inevitably, in such a case, the latter 
would prove more attractive than the former. Experience, 
moreover, had shown that the Chapel situate in Southport, 
was perfectly accessible. Those Episcopalians, who dwelt in 
the village of Fairfield, were scarcely any further from it, 
than they were from the Church at Mill Plain ; while those 
living on Greenfield Hill, at Green's Farms, and at Saugatuck, 
also found Southport equally as convenient. Above all, the 
new location furnished a majority of the worshippers. In 
the "Account of the Pews let in Trinity Church, Mill Plain, 
Jan, 5th, 1835, there are only fourteen names, and but one 
of them is wanting in the " List of Pews let in the Chapel 
at Southport," of the same date. On the other hand, the 
Chapel list contains forty-three names, and it shows also, that 
not only was almost every sitting rented, but that all who 
worshipped at Mill Plain, with one exception, were suffi- 
ciently contented with the Chapel, to become pew holders 
therein, and to attend its services regularly. 

These pew lists are printed for the edification of those inter- 
ested in "Auld Lang Syne."" They contain the names of many, 



No. 



14 



15 



16 



South Side. 

Andrew Bulkier' 
Joseph Davis 
Henrv Perrv 





.c" 


CO 


(M 


rH 


o 


o 


« 


t- :co 


10 


Tj< 


CO 


c^ 


T-^ : 




fe; 


tH 


r-i 


rH 


r-l 




























C 




— 


■ — ; — 


— 


— 


— 


— 


— ; 






en 






cfl 




TS 




>% 















_cc 


^ 




"3 

n 


O 
O 




^ 












to 


v. 


"> 


TS 


^ 


^ 


^ 




TD 


?>» 












*-* 


as 


rt 


cS 


5 


)_ 







^ 










1 
1 


4-» 

E 


Q 

2 
'2. 




a 

03 


>— ) 

C 

o 




O 

c 


3 












^ 


a 


ci 




^ 


SS2^ 


o 


^ 









a 






00 ;t^ 

CO ico 



^ : i^ : 

lis: 



S:a2 

«;£ 






O 

in :in 



81 pooM 'a ra«jqv 

'ON '"P.'S V>-">N 















:'0 


















? 




O 
O 


X 


>> 


: O 
>.: 


•1 


>, 














=0 

1 




u 

u 

C/l 


C 
o 
Z 
n 
o 


— 

CQ 
CQ 


sis 

.5 ^ S 


O 

o 


■5i 

0! 
03 
JO 














^ 




1^ 


t/3 
>—> 


o 
"— 1 


iil 


0. 


Q 














il 


o 


r-l 


M 


CO 


^ lie 


CD 


t^ 


X 


C5 


o 


tH 


c^i : 




iM 


M 


M 


c^ 


Oi:M 


M 


CM 


CVI 


C^ 


CO 


CO 


CO ; 





















O 




03 


CO 


Tf 
TJ 


LO 


CD 


l> 


00 


05 


T-l 


% : 




> 


o 
o 




'1^ 










'^ 1 


s 

•—1 


rt 


^ 




^ 










V : 


P 

-a 

tc 

O 


S3 

-1-1 


c 

a; 

? 

be 

O 

J 
< 


3 











Mi^ 


iM 


CO 


^ 


lO 


CO 


t- : 


00 i 


i «s ■ 
















: a, : 
















: vi • 
















• f^ 
















: OD ; 
















: qj ; 
















i S i 
















: S i 


, 














; « : 
































i Si 
















; 00 : 

■ .a, ; 








S 








• ^ i 




J5 












g : 


CO 

u 
<u 


CO 












. S '■ 


pa 












I §: 




C 




CO 










-< 


K 




1— » 








N; ^ 


C^ 


CO 


-+ 


LO 


'.5 


t^ : 


00 : 











: -O 




















; o 












« 






>^ 


: O 












; « 

■ '^ 

■ *2 






S 


u 

w 

: -C 

i £ 




O 

o 

j5 


pa 


1 




"52 






_cj 


■ .5 


w 


CC 


CO 

V 
X 

o 


be 




; g 






s 


i S 


15 




o 
O 




^ 


tH 


Ol 


CO 


Tf i O 


CD 


b- 


X 


C5 


O 



104 KEOTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL. 

whose professional and business acumen contributed largely 
to the successful development of Southport and its vicinity, 
and whose descendants are active members of Trinity Church 
at the present time. 

From 1836 onwards, the attendance at the Mill Plain 
Church waned, so that the expense of keeping it open, and in 
repair, became an ever increasing burden. In 1841, the 
unwisdom of endeavoring to maintain two houses for worship, 
became self-evident, and at a meeting of the parish, held 
December 20th, 1841, a committee was appointed, consisting 
of Andrew Bulkley, Jesse Banks, and Abel Beers, to devise 
" the lawful means for annexing Trinity Church, Mill Plain, 
to the Chapel at Southport, and to devise ways and means for 
having continuous services at said Chapel." At a special 
parish meeting, March 28th, 1842, the committee reported : 
"that they have made all necessary inquiries of legal gentle- 
men, and find that due notice of the intention being given, in 
the warning for the meeting to be held, the Society when 
assembled, may remove the services by two-thirds of the 
members present voting for the removal." The meeting then 
adjourned to the last Monday in June, at 2 o'clock, when a 
vote being taken, the requisite two-thirds voted affirmatively, 
that the Chax^el at Southport should henceforth be the Church 
of the parish, and that the Church at Mill Plain, should 
remain closed, except for such occasional services as the 
Rector might appoint. 

By this sensible action, the parish was materially strengthened, 
for henceforth it was enabled to concentrate upon the care and 
maintenance of one edifice, that which had been found wholly 
inadequate when divided between two : and it further con- 
duced to bring about a congregational solidarity, such as was 
impossible under the conditions previously existing. It also 
greatly bettered the lot of the Rector, for, in 1844, the parish 
felt strong enough to venture upon the erection of a parsonage- 
house, convenient to the parish Church ; and also to materially 



EECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL. 



105 



add to the Rectors salary. In a letter to the parishioners of 
Trinity Church written about this time, Mr. Cornwall says : 
" the increase of my salary, in addition to the provision of a 
commodious parsonage, I consider an example on the part of 
my beloved parishioners, Worthy of commendation by their 
Pastor, and of imitation by the members of other parishes." 
When a permanent home for the Rector was decided upon, it 
was thought advisable to take down the Church at Mill Plain, 




The Fikst Southport Parsonage. 



even occasional services having ceased to be held there, and 
use whatever material contained in it, that might be found availa- 
ble in the construction of the new building. This was done, 
and in its changed form, the venerable edifice, built in 1790- 
1795, exists substantially to-day, in the structure located 
close by what is known as the "Rectory crossing." The 
bell of the old Church was sold to the Methodist Society at 
Saugatuck, and is doing good service at the present time. 



106 RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL. 

Mrs. Cornelia Ann Short, who worshipped in the Mill Plain 
Church, still retains vivid memories of it, and the recollection 
of one feature, she has enshrined in beautiful verse, which 
may fitly find place in these Annals : 

THE OLD CHURCH BELL. 

Methought I heard it now, 
Its silvery tones vibrating along 
The vale, and o'er the hills, as if perchance 
Some wandering mortal should escape the 
Sound, and thus forget God's Holy Day. 

But 
Ah! 'tis Fancy's dream — no more those walls will 
Echo with thy music. Yet even that 
Imaginary sound has touched a cord 
Which vibrates to the Past — and Memory 
With magic power calls up the scenes of 
Early years, when first my childhood's steps were 
Taught with awe, to enter in that hallowed 
Place — where Christ's ambassador, with accents 
Firm, but mild, precepts instilled, which till 
Life's latest hour will ne'er grow dim. Who 
In his arms received the unconscious babe, and 
With baptismal dew, impressed upon 
Its brow the liquid Cross, a sign to guide 
The Christian through the narrow way — and hours 
When oft I've watched thy iron tongue as 
It pealed in joyous tones for the gay 
Bridal, or tolled the sad funeral knell. 
The festal Christmas time, when all 
With I'eady hand, there met — bright evergreens to 
Twine round columns high, and with the darker 
Fir to decorate the vaulted Fane. From 
Each old window arched, were gleaming lights 
And merry hearts were thronging there, to sing 
The praise of Bethlehem's Babe. 



RECTOBSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL. 107 

'Tis changed ; 
And voices that mingled in the chorus 
Of redeeming love on earth, are hushed, we 
Trust, but to resume the seraphic lays 
Of Heaven — and other hearts, once wont to 
Meet around that sacred board, now mourn that 
Not a trace remains to mark the place once 
Consecrate with heavenly themes. 

Time hastens ! 
A small young tree now rears its verdant top 
Where the Church tower raised its glistening 
Spire. — And when in future years its branches 
Wave, and children play about its roots will 
There be none to pause amid the group, and 
Tell the historic tale, or speak of those 
Who, on each returning hallowed day 
Welcomed the sound of that Old Bell, and 
Gladly met for worship, praise and prayer ? 

Mrs. C. a. Short. 
Fairfield, Conn. 

In 1846, the New York and New Haven Raih'oad came into 
existence, and its roadway was located so near the parsonage, 
that the noise of passing trains, and the continuous shriek of 
the engine's whistle, made it wholly undesirable for a residence. 
This drawback continued to intensify with the rapid growth 
of the traffic done by the company, and it was accordingly 
determined that the parsonage should be offered for sale. In 
1891, the railway company, finding the land pertaining to it 
necessary for the carrying out of the proposed duplication 
of its roadbed, bought the property for $3,500, and it is now 
in their possession. 



CHAPTEK XYI. 



Continuation of Eev. Nathaniel E. Corn-wall's Kectorship: 
State of the Parish: Kesignation, 1834-1853 a. d. 

In the annual report of the state of the parish, printed in 
the Convention Journal of 1835, the Rector imparts the follow- 
ing information : " The number of families in the parish 
this year may be reckoned at 80. In this list, however, several 
single persons, unconnected with any other members of the 
parish, are counted as families. It may be, therefore, better 
to state the whole number of souls comprised in the cure, 
which may be estimated at 320. Of these 107 are communi- 
cants. There have been 9 communicants added during the 
year, 3 have died, 1 has removed. It is proper here to 
observe that the number of communicants in the parish last 
year, was incorrectly reported. The error was caused by 
copying from the record of the former Eector, without 
reference to the period of vacancy in the cure, during which 
there had been several removals. Eleven persons have been 
confirmed, eleven infants baptized, and the number of deaths 
is eleven. There have been no marriages in the parish, 
though I have three times solemnized the bans for persons 
from abroad. The number of Sunday scholars is about 60 ; 
teachers 14. From thirty to forty persons generally attend 
the meetings of the Bible class. The regular members of the 
class, who recite from Jackson's Questions on the Lessons, 
&c., do not exceed 20. A meeting of the Sunday school 
teachers has been held monthly, and is to be continued hereafter 
twice a month. The object of these meetings is to secure for 
the school that pastoral supervision which the spirit of the 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL. 



109 



rubric concerning catechizing seems to require, and to render 
the labors of the teachers more efficient, by means of a mutual 
and free interchange of the results of individual experience, 
and the familiar exhortations of duty. The monthly missionary 




"Thk Old Church on the Hill." 
The Fourth Church Edifice Erected by Trinity Parish. 

meeting has been kept up through the year with such success 
as to afford abundant encouragement for perseverance. The 
object of these meetings is to diffuse missionary intelligence, 
and thus nourish that missionary spirit which the Church 
supposes to exist whei'ever the nature of the Sacrament of 



110 RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL. 

baptism is rightly appreciated — a spirit which only languishes 
where it does languish — for want of appropriate sustenance. 
The sum of $90.60 has been raised for benevolent purposes, 
since January, chiefly by the plan of weekly contribu- 
tions. Of this sum, $40.21 have been appropriated by the 
contributors, to the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society ; 
$15.00 to Bp. Smith, for Churches in Kentucky ; $12.50 to 
the Fairfield County Missionary and Education Society ; 
$14.79 to the Sunday school of the parish, and $8.10 to the 
Society for the Promotion of Christian knowledge. 

These contributions for benevolent purposes are exclusive 
of the sum of $250.00, which has been realized by the Ladies' 
Association, as the fruits of their industry in plain sewing, 
and applied by them to the furnishing of the new Chapel in 
Southport, which was consecrated on the 22nd of January 
last, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Onderdonk. 

The Chapel is about a mile distant from the old Church, 
and is occupied by the same congregation, services being held 
in the Chapel two-thirds of the time. It is one of the most 
commodious edifices to be found in the country parishes of 
the diocese, and is perhaps remarkable among Episcopal 
Churches in this State, as being the first and only house of 
public worship in the village where it stands.'" 

All this is interesting, inasmuch as it shows what was the 
condition of Trinit}' parish in the year 1835. A few years 
later, as we have already seen, the Chapel became the parish 
Church, and was henceforth the only edifice used for public 
worship by the congregation. And what a multitude of de- 
lightful memories, even to this day, cluster about that "Old 
Church on the Hill," as the Chapel, in time came to be 
called ! Its location was probably the best that the parish 
has ever had, or will have. The views of woodland and 
the blue waters of Long Island Sound, were a perpetual 
feast to the eye : while the fact that it was in the very midst 
of the village, made it perfectly accessible to all. There was a 



RKCTOESHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL. Ill 

sturdiness moreover, in those who worshipped in it, that is sadly 
lacking in this age. The Church was the first object of their 
affections; not the last. Sunday was strictly given to God ; 
not devoted to secular enjoyments. A little had weather, or 
the slightest bodily or mental indisposition, did not keep them 
from the Sanctuary. The festal days of the Church were also 
highly appreciated. Miss Anna E Cornwall, daughter of the 
Rev. Mr. Cornwall, in a recent letter, says : " Has any one 
described to you the unique way of illuminating the Church 
for the Christmas-Eve service, that prevailed in the old days? 




Pitch Pipe used in the Mill Plain Chukcu. 

A square wooden framework, twined with evergreens, was 
erected in the body of the Church, just high enough above 
the pews, to clear the heads of the occupants. This frsime- 
work was pierced with holes four or five inches apart, laige 
enough for a good sized candle. Along the galleries, across 
the end, and on the sides, similar boards extended, pierced in 
the same way. The candles having been put in place, and 
thei:e were hundreds of them, they were lighted shortly before 
the service began, and being large and solid, lasted until the 
end. The effect was so pleasing that the Church could scarcely 
hold all who came from far and near to the Christmas-Eve 
service." 



112 RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL. 

A communication from another of those who treasure 
pleasant recollections of this period says: "The music in 
the ' Old Church on the Hill ' should not be forgotten. 
It was the free-will offering of those who took part in it. 
It was not artistic, but it was hearty and sincere." In 
the early days, the i)itch of the tune of the psalm to be 
sung was set by a tnniug-fork. This was the custom in 
the Church at Mill Plain. In the " Old Church on the Hill,'' 
the tuning-fork was supplanted, at first by a base-viol. This 
was played sometimes by Timothy Williams, at others, by 
Aaron Jennin<i;s, while the vocal parts were rendered by a 
quartette, and a numerous chorus of volunteers. In 1848, 
progress was in the air ; culture, especially in the direction of 
Church music, began to exert a potent influence; an organ, 
something hitherto unheard of, was resolved upon. Again a 
subscription paper was passed round, and at the annual 
palish meeting in 1849, the organ committee reported that 
they had " paid $800 for the organ and additions now in the 
Church, and about $70 toward altering the Gallery for the 
same, and that it needed $120 to finish paying all the claims." 
The committee's report being accepted, it was further " voted 
that Jonathan Godfrey be added to the committee, and that 
they continue to solicit subscriptions to the amount required." 
The organ proved to be of excellent quality, and helped to 
advance the music of Trinity Church to a highly satisfactory 
standard. The first to perform upon the instrument, was 
Miss Anna B. Cornwall ; later, she was succeeded by Mr. Jdhn 
H, Wood, who served the parish most faithf i V.j, in the 
capacity of organist, for many years. The choir, that sang 
on the occasion of what, unwittingly to it, was the last service 
held in the old Church, was composed of the following persons: 
Miss Mary Ann Bulkley, Miss C. Malvina Bulkley, Miss Louisa 
D. Bulkley, Miss Mary Frances Burr, Miss Mary Josephine 
Bulkley, Miss Elizabeth D. Banks, Miss Mary Jane Banks, 
Miss Sarah Burr Bulkley, Miss Mary Jane Bulkley, Miss 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL. 113 

Emily Davis, Miss Cornelia Davis, Miss Jerusha Robinson, 
Mr. George Bulklej', Mr. Andrew Bulkley, Mr. Francis Jelliff, 
Mr. Edgar Burroughs, and Mr. John H. Sherwood. These 
young women, in the course of time, became, most of them, 
the staid and sober matrons, whose unswerving loyalty to the 




Jeremiae Sturges, 
Vestryman, Clerk, and Treasurer of Trinity Parish, 

1801-1845. 

parish proved to be one of the chief sources of its subsequent 
prosperity. Of the gentlemen who sung in the choir of the 
" Old Church on the Hill," Mr. John H. Sherwood, is, so far 
as the writer knows, the only one who survives. 



114 RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL. 

While Mr. Cornwall was Rector, Mr. Jeremiah Stux'ges, one 
of the great leaders of the parish, finished his earthly course. 
His death took place, December 12th, 1845. As vestryman, 
and also parish clerk, and treasurer, he served continuously 
from 1801, to the time of his decease. Well known in the 
community for his eminent executive ability, it was the com- 
mon remark, that nowhere did he bestow it with more devo- 
tion, and with less of stint, than in behalf of Trinity parish. 
Walter Sherwood, Henry Perry, and Walter Bulkley, all prom- 
inent among the vestry of the parish, passed to their rest dur- 
ing Mr. Cornwall's incumbency. 

But in one respect, this is anticipating events. Long before 
the final services of thechoir, to which reference has been made, 
were rendered, the crying need was for more room, for those 
desiring to form part of the congregation. Every seat in the 
Church was taken; applicants were many in number. At the 
annual meeting, held December 8th, 1851, it was voted, after an 
informal discussion, " that the building should be again enlarged, 
and that a special committee be appointed to contract for an 
addition to the Church, extending out the same, in the rear 12 
feet, more or less; of sufficient height to have the pulpit and 
desk moved back, forming an arch from the gallery, and make 
additional seats to fill up the space thus added. Also to add 
to the east side of said building, near the north end of vestry 
room, from 8 to 12 feet square, and open the present vestry 
room — provided it can all be done for the sum of six or seven 
hundred dollars." While the project was pending, for it 
necessitated the purchase of additional land to make it 
effective, Mr. Cornwall received an invitation to a new field of 
labor, which he felt it was his bounden duty to accept. 

At the annual meeting, December 20th, 1853, the probable 
retirement of the Rector was announced to the parish, and a 
special committee was appointed, " to express the regret 
entertained by all at the contemplated separation, and the 
desire that he might resolve to remain." But time only the 



RECTORSHIP OF BEV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL. 115 

more conviuced Mr. Cornwall that his duty lay elsewhere. At 
hisrequest, a special meeting was convened, March 14th, 1853, to 
accept his resignation. Capt. Abel Beers was called to the 
chair, and the following letter from Mr. Cornwall was read : 

March 14th, 1853. 
To the Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church : 

Beloved Brethren: — You are already aware that a 
serious consideration of the subject of my communication to 
you at the late annual meeting of the parish, has led to my 
acceptance of the very earnest call to another field of labor to 
which my attention was directed. I take the earliest opportu- 
nity afi'orded by the appointment of the special meeting, this 
day to tender you my resignation of the pastoral care of this 
parish, from the close of the present quarter, on the tenth of 
April ensuing. I need not say in the prospect of such a 
change of the interesting relation in which we have been so 
long and so happily united, that there is much that is adapted 
to excite the most tender sympathies of our hearts. Com- 
mending you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is 
able to build you up, imploring for you all spiritual blessings 
in Christ Jesus, and desiring your best wishes and prayers 
for my own usefulness, I am, with best wishes for each of 
you, Affectionally yours in Christ, 

N. E. Cornwall. 

On motion of Capt. Jonathan Godfrey it was resolved unani- 
mously not to accept the Rector's resignation. Mr. Cornwall 
came into the meeting, and having expressed with much feeling 
his appreciation of the kindness shown to him, stated the urgency 
of the call, and the necessity that was laid upon him to accept 
it. Capt. Godfrey, thereupon moved the reconsideration of 
the former vote, and the acceptance by the parish of Mr. 
Cornwall's resignation, both of which were agreed to. After 
passing a resolution testifying to the high regard " in which 
the retiring Rector was held by the parish, as well as to the 



116 RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL. 

faithful discharge of his various and arduous duties, often- 
times under disheartening and adverse circumstances,"' the 
meeting adjourned. 

The Rev. Mr. Cornwall's Rectorship, thus unexpectedly 
brought to a close, was one of the most memorable in the history 
of the parish. A man of great urbanity of character ; of 
unusual administrative ability ; of fine scholastic and theologi- 
cal attainments ; of intense evangelical fervor and piety, it 
was most natural that the charge entrusted to his spiritual 
oversight, should prosper. For nineteen eventful years, not- 
withstanding the fact that during that period, questions of 
momentous import, that gave rise frequently to acute differ- 
ences of opinion, came up for settlement, he held his congre- 
gation together as a unit. By common consent, the entire 
community of the Town of Fairfield, irrespective of I'eligious 
aflfiliations, thoroughly respected him. As Rector of St. 
Andi-ew's Church, Pittsburg, to which place he went after 
leaving Southport, and later of St. Matthew's Church, New 
York, he continued for many years the same career of useful- 
ness. The writer of these Annals knew him well, and that 
only, as did all who wei*e favored with his friendship, to admire 
and love him to the end of his earthly days. He died in New 
York City, August 28tb, 1879, aged 69 years. 



CHAPTER XYII. 



Rectobship of the Rev. James Souveraine Purdy: Destruction 

OF the Fourth Church by Fire— Change of Site, and 

Building of the Fifth Church, 1853-1858, a. d. 




Rev. James S. Purdy. 



At a special meeting held May 10th, 1853, the Rev. James 
S. Purdy, at the time a tutor in Trinity College, Hartford, 
Conn., was unanimously called to fill the vacant Rectorship. 
The invitation was accepted by Mr. Purdy, and he forthwith 



118 KECTOESHIP OF REV. JAMES S. PURDY. 

began his ministi'ations, coming to Soutbport for the Sundays^ 
until the College commencement took place, when he removed 
to the village, and assumed full charge of the parish. On 
Sunday, July 20th, 1853, he was admitted to the Priesthood, 
by the Bishop of the Diocese, in the parish Church. The 
same year, he took to himself a wife, the accomplished 
daughter of the Rev. Samuel Roosevelt Johnson, Professor in 
the General Theological Seminary, New York. As was to be 
expected, the parish under the guidance of its new and 
efficient Rector, moved auspiciously forward. The congre- 
gations were large ; the spiritual interest perceptibly on the 
increase. The only thing imperatively needed was a larger 
Church. On January 16th, 1854, at a special meeting of the 
parish it was voted, "that a committee, consisting of Benjamin 
Pomeroy, William Bulkley, and Allen Nichols, be appointed and 
have authority to contract for the enlargement, according to 
the plan heretofore adopted, adding twenty seats and a vestry 
room on the east end of the Church. Also voted, that the 
amount requii-ed for said expenses, be first raised by a 
subscription." "While this was impending, a serious and un- 
looked for event intei'vened. Extract from the Parish Record : 
"Saturda3% March 11th, 1851. The Church burnt to the 
ground this p. m., between four and six o'clock. Insured for 
$3,500, and $800 on the organ." 

Once more the calamity of 1779 was repeated, and thepai-ish 
was again homeless! In a couple of hours, the Sanctuary, 
endeared to many hearts by the holiest of associations, the 
outcome of so much sacrifice and zeal on the part of those 
who worshipped within its sacred walls, had wholly disap- 
peared. How the building caught fire has ever remained a 
mystery. But, although the catastrophe was overwhehning^ 
one striking feature connected with it was observable. The 
parish officials met the emergency with great promptness. 
Preparations for holding Divine service as usual, were imme- 
diately begun. The old Academy was put in the best condi- 






/v^ 




1'. IM'IN' cm-Hcii 




Fifth Church Edifice, Destroyed by Tornado, 1802. 



EECTOBSHIP OF REV. JAMEH 8. PUBDY. 110 

tion possible ; and on the morrow, the congregation aHsembled 
there. Thus, by the stress of events, it had come back to the 
spot where its worship, so far as Soutljport was concerned, 
had its beginning. It was in 1838, that the Kev. William 
Shelton had conducted the first religious service ever held in 
the village, in that same building. Truly, it was a heavy 
burden that was thus thrust upon it ; so felt the sorrowful 
flock gathered in the old school-house that eventful Sunday 
morning ; Vjut, then and there, it was resolved that the Church 
should be " Vjuilt again, as in former times ; " and that the 
" glory of the latter house should greatly exceed that of the 
former." A council of the prominent metnVjers of the parish 
was speedily held, and it was unanimously voted, to proceed at 
once to erect a new Church edifice. As the growth of the 
village was continuously westward, the consensus of opinion 
was in favor of a different location from that occupied by the 
Church recently destroyed, and a change of site was decided 
upon. A lot on Pequot avenue, the principal avenue of the 
village was purchased, and the construction of a large and 
commodious structure was begun. Messrs. Moses Bulkley, 
Jonathan Godfrey, Augustus Jennings, William Bulkley, and 
Allen Nichols, composed the committee to supervise its con- 
struction, and W^illiam Nash was chosen for the architect. 
The corner stone was laid in October, 1854, with appropriate 
ceremonies, Vjy the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese ; and from 
that time the work of construction rapidly advanced. 

While the old Academy was most conveniently situated, and 
was also freely placed at the disposal of Trinity's, now Church- 
less, congregation, it had one conspicuous defect — it was too 
small. Not half of those who desired to attend service, could 
be accommodated in it. The building committee was further 
charged, in view of this state of affairs, to find a more suitable 
place in which the congregation might assemble. They de- 
cided upon the Parsonage barn, and that building was at 
once put in order for public worship, and was so used during 



120 EECTORSHIP OF KEV. JAMES S. PURDY. 

the summei- of 1858. St. Barnabas Chapel, it was popularly 
called, and a very comfortable temporary place for holding 
service, those who frequented it, assure us it was. One 
marriage ceremony, that of Juliette, daughter of the village 
physician. Dr. Justus Sherwood, and Marcus B. Roosevelt, took 
place June 13th, 1853, within its walls, the Rector officiating. In 
the late autumn, when the atmosphere grew chilly. Divine service 
was transferred to the Odd Fellows' Hall ; and still later, when 
winter really set in, to Washington Hall, the upper story of 
the village school house, then just completed. 

The new Church, the fifth erected by the parish since its 
organization, was ready for use, early in 1856, and on the 31st 
of January, was consecrated by the Assistant Bishop of the 
Diocese. A clergyman. Rev. J. H Short, allied by marriage 
to the parish, who was present on the occasion, has preserved 
for us the following interesting account of the ceremony : 

"The day was one of the most beautiful of the whole 
month. At half-past ten, a congregation of nearly a thousand 
persons had collected within the walls of the Church, to 
witness and participate in the services. 

The Assistant Bishop met the Clergy and Wardens and 
Vestrymen of the parish, at the house of Capt. Jonathan 
Godfrey. At eleven o'clock the procession was formed, and 
proceeded in reverse order to the door of the Church. The 
Bishop then entered, followed by the Clergy and ofiBcials of 
the parish. The 24th Psalm was repeated alternately by the 
Bishop and Clergy, as they were going up the aisle to the 
chancel. There were present of the Clergy, besides the 
Bishop, the Rev. Drs. Mead, Coit, Todd, Hallam, and the 
Rev. Dr. Johnson, Professor in the General Theological Semi- 
nary ; the Rev. Dr. Goodwin, President of Trinity College ; 
and the Rev. Prof. Jackson ; the Rev. Messrs. Purdy, Purves, 
Stimson, Fisher, Adams, Robertson, Judd, Godfrey, Lewis, 
Stearns, Cander, Bronson, Short, Potter, Bostwick, Yarring- 
ton, Williams, and Deacons Russell, French and Williams. 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. JAMES S. PURDY. 121 

The Instrument of Donation was read by the Rector, and the 
Sentence of Consecration by the Rev. Dr. Johnson. The 
Bishop then proceeded with the Consecration Service. The 
Rev. Dr. Coit, of Bridgeport, began Morning Prayer ; the 
Rev. Mr. Purves, of Westport, read the Lessons ; and the 
Rev. Mr. Stimson of Wilton concluded. The Bishop then 
proceeded with the Communion Service; the Rev. Dr. Mead 




Right Rev. John Williams, D. D., B.C. L., Fourth Bishop of Connecticut, 
^T. 40 Years, 1856. 

of Norwalk, reading the Epistle and Gospel for the occasion. 
The sermon was by the Bishop. A feeling of deep solemnity 
seemed to pervade the entire congregation through all the 
Service. The music was excellent. Allwhocould, sang, and both 
Clergy and laity appreciated highly this featui*e of the Services. 
The same voices that were mingled in the Confession, Versi- 



122 RECTORSHIP OF BEV. JAMES S. PURDY. 

cles and Creed, were also joined together in the words of 
Thanksgiving and Praise. It has now been nearly two years 
since the Church in this parish was burned to the ground. 
In the interval the Rector and parish have been as a parish 
without a home. They have sought a shelter, at one time in 
a school-room, then, in a barn, theu, in an Odd Fellows' 
Lodge, then, in a public ball. Now, at last, they have found, 
in the language of their Bishop, a Holy Home ; such a home 
as I know every member of the parish must appreciate. This 
two years must have been a time of severe trial to the Rector, 
who had but just commenced his labors in this, his first 
parish. But he has not been found wanting in energy, 
assiduity, and zeal, for the welfare and honor of his parish- 
ioners. And the parish, I may say, judging from the noble 
edifice they have erected, have not been wanting in zeal for 
the honor of God, or in love for their Rector. The building 
is of wood, but one which will ever bear evidence of the 
liberality and good taste of those who have erected it. 

There is nothing light or fantastic in its ornaments or 
decollations, neither is the religious light too dim. The whole 
effect is animating, solemn, and impressive. May the entire 
Services of the Consecration long be remembered by the 
congregation. May they, with their worthy Rector, long live 
together to enjoy the comforts and consolations of this, their 
holiest earthly Home." 

This new edifice was equipped with what at the time, was 
considered a very fine organ. It came from the factory of 
Messrs. E. & G. C. Hook, of Boston, and cost $1,200.00. In 
addition to the sum of $875.00 received for insurance upon 
the organ destroj'ed by fire in the old Church, the Vestry ap- 
portioned !^200.00 from the parish treasury ; and Edwin Bulk- 
ley contributed $32.50; Lewis D. Bulkley, $37.50; Chas. Rock- 
well, $20.00; AVillinm B. Leonard, $20.58, and Benjamin 
Pomeroy, $14.42, which sums made up the deficiency. In 
connection with the erection of the fifth Church edifice, we 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. JAMES S. PURDY. 123 

find on the pages of the Parish Eecord, this acknowledg- 
ment, showing the interest taken in it by a former towns- 
man : "Resolved, that the thanks of this Society are emi- 
nently due, and are hereby cordially tendered to Joseph E. 
Sheffield, of New Haven, for his liberal and unsolicited dona- 
tion of $500.00 towards rebuilding the Church in his native 
village." 

After the destruction of the "Old Church on the Hill," and 
during the somewhat long interval that elapsed before all the 
questions connected with the change of site, and the material, 
whether wood or stone, with which the new structure should 
be constructed, it is not to be wondered at, that the residents 
in the village of Fairfield, a mile distant, should long for a 
parish Church of their own. Although the Church-people 
residing there were extremely few in number, it was resolved 
by them that a Church should be builded. By the perse- 
vering efforts of Mr. Henry R. Knapp, a devoted upholder of 
the Church of his adoption, and a few zealous friends, the 
site on which the foundation of a proposed jail had been 
started, was secured, and plans for the structure having been 
adopted, the corner stone was laid in September, 1855, by 
the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese. The completed edifice 
was consecrated May 20th, 1856, by the same Prelate, by the 
name of St. Paul's Church. As was to be expected, this 
memorable service was participated in by a goodly number • 
of the Clergy and laity. The Request to Consecrate was 
read by the Rev. Mr. Leffingwell, the rector of the parish. 
The Sentence of Consecration was read by the Rev. Mr. Purdy. 
Morning Prayer was begun by the Rev. Mr. Reid. The 
Lessons were read by the Rev. Mr. Dix, of New York. The 
Creed and the concluding Prayers were read by the Rev. Dr. 
G. S. Coit. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. 
Hallam. The Assistant Bishop read the Communion Office. 
The Epistle was read by the Rev. Dr. Mead, who with the 
Rev. Mr. Purdy, assisted the Bishop in the distribution of the 



124 RECTORSHIP OF REV. JAMES S. PURDY. 

elements. There were also present, the Rev. Messrs. Baldwin, 
Tomlinson, Candor, Judd, Purves, Stimson, Geo. Warner 
Nichols, Olmstead, Williams, Townsend, and Davies, of the 
Connecticut Diocese, and the Rev. Messrs. Clapp, and Samuel 
Nichols, of that of New York. St. Paul's parish has been 
ably administered, and highly prosperous from the start. As 
the initial services, that eventually led to its organization 
were begun by Mr. Cornwall, and were afterwards continued by 
Mr. Purdy, it hardly needs to be said, that Trinity, the old 
mother-parish, gave the new enterprise a hearty God speed. 
The Rectors have been the Rev. Messrs. C. S. LeflSngwell, 
Levi B. Stimson, Frederick S. Hyde, James K. Lombard, and 
William Strother Jones. The Rev. Allen E. Beeman is the 
present Rector. 

Mr. Purdy's ministrations at Southport, continued to be 
most acceptable. In 1857, by a unanimous vote of the parish, 
his salary was raised. Doubtless he would have remained con- 
tented in the promising field in which he was laboring, had 
not a call to a cure at Hyde Park, a growing village on the 
Hudson river, in the Diocese of New York, which was extended 
to him, appeared of such a nature that he felt he must accept 
it. Accordingly, to the surprise and regret of every one con- 
nected with the parish, his resignation was tendered, at a 
meeting held April 26th, 1858. 

Copy of Rev. J. S. Purdy's letter, as published in the Church 
Calendar, May 8th, 1858. 
To the Wardens and l^estry of Trinity Church, Southtiort : 

Gentlemen : — The object of this communication, is to 
certify you of my resignation of this parish. My desire is 
that the resignation shall take effect on the third of May. In thus 
relinquishing my charge, I do most gladly testify to your 
appreciation of a Pastor's labors among you, for your own and 
for the Church's good. Y'^our kindness and affection toward 
me from first to last, have been unvarying. For the constant 
good-will you have ever manifested in my behalf, and for the 




JU8TU8 HHKHWIX)!). M. IJ., VEHrKVHAN, !%:'/,( 



RECTORSHIP or REV. JAME.H H. PUkiiV. 125 

many favorH I have received at your ban^H, accept rny heartiest 
thanks. May God's choicest blessin<,'s descend upon you all, 
and be assured that for your continued prospenty, you will 
ever have rny earnest prayers. Yours affectionately, in the 
fellowship of Christ's Holy Church, 

JameB S. Purdy. 

When first presented, on motion of Capt. Jonathan Godfrey, 
it was decided unanimously, that Mr. Purdys resignation be 
not accepted, and that Messrs. Godfrey and Beers, be a 
committee to inform him of the action of the meeting. The 
result was, that after earnest solicitation on the part of Mr. 
Purdy, the vote previously taken was reconsidered and per- 
mission was given him to retire as requested, which he did on 
the 3rd of May. On parting, the parish showed the keen 
sense of its loss in a series of appreciative resolutions. Among 
them were these words, which show the regard in which Mr. 
Purdy was held. " Permit us as we part, to testify with one 
voice to your inestimable worth as a Christian Pastor. We 
have found you, during the five years you have been with us, 
faithful and untiring in the discharge of your duties Through 
many vicissitudes ; the loss of our Church edifice by fire, and 
the consequent stress of rebuilding, you have sustained and 
guided UB. May the blessing of our Father in Heaven attend 
you, and crown with even greater success, your labors in the 
new field upon which you are about to enter." 

Rev. Mr. Purdy was also well known by the writer of these 
Annals. He recollects distinctly his fine personal appearance, 
and his great charm of manner. In a letter very recently re- 
ceived, his Vjrother-in-law, the Kev. William Allen Johnson, 
Professor of Church History, in the Berkley Divinity School, 
Middletown, Conn., says of him : " For Kev. Mr. Purdy I had a 
very great regard. He was a wise scholar ; a very well read 
theologian ; an aV^Ie preacher ; and aJ.irayii a successful pastor. 
He was untiring in catechising his Sunday school, and in his 
pastoral duties. The last Confirmation in the little village of 



126 RECTORSHIP OF REV. JAMES S. PUKDY. 

Hyde Park, numbered, I think, sixteen ; and the Kev. Dr. 
Cady, ( who succeeded him ) said he had never known, in his 
experience, such devotion on the part of the plain village people 
to a Pastor." Mr. Purdy died, lamented by a large circle of 
friends, at Sai'atoga, New York, March 21st, 1883. 



CHAPTER XYIII. 



Bectokship of the Rev. Rufus Emery: Destruction of the 

Fifth Church by a Tornado : Building of the Sixth 

Church, 1858-1871, a. d. 




The Rev. Rdfus Ejiery. 

After the Rev. Mr. Purdj left for his new cure, Trinity 
parish was without a Rector for two months. At a meeting 



128 RECTORSHIP OF REV. RUFUS EMERY. 

held July 12th, 1858, the Rev. Rufus Emery, was given a 
unanimous call, and forthwith began his pastoral duties. 
The new Rector was a recent graduate of Berkley Divinity 
School, and this was his first charge. At once he won the 
hearts of his flock by his ardent devotion to his Master's work. 
Under his leadership the parish gained added strength, and a 
zeal manifested itself, that gave promise of greater progress 
than had ever before been attained. Thus the years passed, 
without aught sensational occurring, until January 1st, 1862. 
During the closing hours of that day, a cyclonic storm from 
the northwest began to make itself felt ; the wind blew 
fiercely ; the oldest inhabitant could remember no elemental 
disturbance that surpassed it in vehenence. Trees and 
shrubbery were stripped or uprooted ; many houses and 
barns were unroofed ; scores of vessels that had neglected to 
seek shelter were wrecked along the coast.* While the tempest 
was at its height, the tall, graceful spire of the Church, 
yielded to the force of the blast, and breaking off at the 
belfry, fell upon the roof, and crashing through into the 
interior, wrought utter havoc and ruin therein. Those who 
remember the catastrophe, relate that the bell, uninjured and 
exposed to the storm, rang at intervals through the dark 
hours, sounding, as it were, a requiem over the sad scene that 
the coming dawn was to reveal. The destruction of the 
Church proved to be complete. The east wall lay prone upon 
the ground ; The west wall would also have fallen quite as far 
but for the interposition of a venerable oak, w hich served as a 
prop to hold it up. Singular to relate, the organ was un- 
harmed, as was the altar within the chancel ; and the great 

• The weather on New Year's morning was very fine, with a light wind from 
southwest, the barometer standing 29 and 7-10 ; Indicating a blow, which about 12 30 
p. ji. commenced from southwest, and during the evening shifted to west north- 
west, and has been blowing furiously since from that quarter. Much damage has 
been done to shipping in exposed situations. A tremendous gale is reported on 
the Sound. In Boston and its vicinity, many chimneys were blown down, and 
buildings unroofed. The storm is the most severe known for years. New York 
Times, Jan. 3rd, 1862. 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. RUFUS EMERY. 



129 



window of stained glass above it; nothing else, though, 
escaped, and it was evident that the entire structure would 
have to be rebuilt. This was a heavy blow, for the parish 
was just recovering from the financial exhaustion consequent 
upon the original construction of the edifice. It rose, how- 




HiLL Sherwood, Vestkyman and Warden, 1819—1864. 

ever, to the occasion. At a meeting held, January 18th, on 
motion of Mr. Benjamin Pomeroy, it was unanimously voted : 
" That this parish proceed to rebuild the Church, substantially 
upon the same plan as before, and that it be built by the day, 
the work to begin as soon as the sum of six thousand dollars 
shall be raised." Rev. Mr. Emery was made chairman of the 
Building Committee, and the requisite amount having been 
subscribed, the new Church was begun, and was ready for 



130 RECTORSHIP OF REV. RUFUS EMERY. 

Consecration before the close of the year. The same clergy- 
man, the Rev. David H. Short, who was present at the Conse- 
cration four years previously, was also a participant in this, 
and has left us an account so full and graphic, that it is 
given at length : " It may be remembered that the first day 
of the year 1862 closed in a tremendous tornado. During 
that night, Trinity Church, Southport, was laid in ruins, and 
a more complete wreck can scarcely be imagined. The tall 
spire fell lengthwise of the nave, crushing the roof, bursting 
out both sides of the building, and breaking over the chancel, 
about twenty feet of the top was thrown some fifty feet be- 
yond and plunged through the roof of the horse-sheds. But 
no description can adequately portray the scene of desolation, 
and much less can it express the anguish of heart felt by the 
band of zealous Churchmen belonging to the parish. Only a 
few years before, they had been deprived of their Church by 
fire, and now another element had made scarcely less devasta- 
tion. But it is not to describe the wreck that I write. It is to 
endeavor to give some faint idea of an entirely different and 
more joyous scene. 

"By the united zeal, energy and liberality of the people of 
the ancient, but oft-tried parish, another and more beautiful 
Temple has arisen on the foundation of the former Church ; 
and Thursday, the 11th of December, was the day appointed 
for its Consecration to the worship of the Holy and Undivided 
Trinity. The day, as if Divine Providence did smile upon the 
pious undertaking, was almost cloudless, and bland bej'ond 
compare for wintry days. The morning sun rose bright and 
clear, and many a heart rejoiced that once again devout 
Christian people could assemble to worship God, could kneel 
to offer up their heart's devotions, could listen to the words of 
eternal life, the preached Gospel, and could receive the bread 
of God free from distraction of mind, in a place separated 
from all common, secular and unhallowed uses. At the 
hour appointed, 11 o'clock, the Church was filled, and the 



RECTORSHIP OF KEY. RUFUS EMERY. 



131 



Assistant Bishop, preceded by the Wardens and Vestrymen of 
the parish, and accompanied by a large number of the Clergy, 
robed in surplices, formed in procession at the residence of 
Jonathan Godfrey, Esq., and marched to the Church. On 
entering, the Bishop commenced the recitation of the appro- 
priate Psalm, which caused many a heart to thrill with joyful 




Andkew Bulklev, "Vestryman, 1859-186V. 

•emotion, and the response of the Clergy was full and sonorous, 
making the lofty arch resound. Seated in the chancel, the 
Bishop on the right of the altar, was supported by the Kev. 
S. R. Johnson, S. T. D., of the General Theological Seminary, 
New York, the Rector of the parish, the Rev. Messrs. Tom- 



132 RECTORSHIP OF REV. RUFUS EMERY. 

linsoa and Cooke, and on the left by the Rev. Drs. Mead and 
J. L. Clark, and the Rev. Messrs. Short, S. M. Emery, -and 
French. The Instrument of Donation was read by the Rector, 
after which the Bishop proceeded with the Service of Conse- 
cration ; the Sentence of Consecration was read by the Rev. 
S. M. Emery. This service concluded. Morning Prayer was 
said by the Rev. Mr. Stimson, to the end of the appropriate 
Psalms; the Rev. Mr. Willey- read the Lessons; the Rev. 
Mr. Deshon concluded Morning Prayer. The Ante-Com- 
munion was begun by the Bishop, the Rev. Dr. Mead reading 
the Epistle, and the Rev. Dr. Johnson the Gospel. The 
sermon was by the Bishop, in his usual clear and forcible 
style, xlf ter sermon the Offertory was read by the Rev. Dr. 
Johnson; the Rev. Dr. Clark officiated in the Communion to 
the Absolution, which was pronounced by the Bishop, who 
then proceeded with the Consecration and distribution 
of the sacred elements, being assisted in the latter by 
the Rev. Drs. Mead, Johnson and Clark. The Rev. Mr. 
Short said the Post-Communion, to the Gloria in Excelsis, 
which was chanted by the choir and the congregation, 
accompanied by the full-toned organ. Here it is proper to 
remark that all the music was judiciously selected, and exe- 
cuted in excellent style and good taste. Instead of selecting 
music which would exhibit wonderful powers of execution 
rather than devotion in the worship of God, the chants were 
plain, only varied by the Grand Te Deum of Jackson : the 
metre tunes, as they ought always to be, on such occasions, 
were familiar, and well adapted to the worship of God by the 
whole congregation, and the great body of worshippers mani- 
fested their appreciation by joining with hearty voice, making 
the lofty arch resound with a full chorus. The Bishop con- 
cluded the services, pronouncing the Benediction. Thus 
closed one of the most interestiner services of the kind which 
I remember to have attended. Besides the Clergy already 
mentioned, there were present, the Rev. W. H. Williams, 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. RUFUS EMERY. 



133 



Chaplain of the army, the Kev. Messrs. J. E. Williams, G. D. 
Johnson, J. Godfrey, and the Rev. Messrs. E. F. Bishop. 
Benjamin, and Brathwaite, deacons. 

" I have spun out this communication to so great length, 
that little room is left for a description of the Church, or for 
the mention of some other matters of interest in relation to 




VVlLI.I.VM BULKLEY, VESTRYMAN, 1855-1867. 

the parish, and indeed, it would be hardly possible to give an 
adequate conception of its beauty by a verbal description. 
Suffice it to say, that considering the cost, about $7,000, and 
the circamstances of its erection upon the foundation, and of 
the same dimensions of the old one, it is a decided success, 



134 RECTORSHIP OF REV. RUFU8 EMERY. 

and a great improvement upon the former. It shows not 
only the high order of ecclesiastical taste of the Rector, 
who designed and drew all the plans, but also the confidence 
of the people in their Rector, and their zeal and liberality in 
carrying out his plans. May the Great Head of the Church 
long spare him to enjoy the fruit of his labors, and grant that 
he may be equally successful in building up the spiritual 
temple of the Lord in due and harmonious proportion, and 
that many souls may be enabled to say, ' we were born to 
glory nere.' " 

The Report of the Building Committee, submitted to the 
parish, December 29th, 1862, was as follows : " The Building 
Committee would report to the parish, that in obedience to 
the resolution passed at the meeting of January 18th, last, 
they began their work on Monday', the 20th of January. The 
first thing which was done, was to find timber fitted for the 
new building. The timbers of the spire, and roof, being long 
and large, it required much time to find such as were in all 
respects suitable After they were found, they were prepared 
and put upon the ground. The ruins of the former Church 
were then cleared up, and an examination made of the founda- 
tion, the floor, and the remaining portion of the tower. After 
this examination was made, and opinions were received from 
those who wei'e competent to give them, your committee came 
to the conclusion that the foundation, the floor, and remaining 
portion of the tower, were in all respects sufficient to build 
upon again. In order, however, to make the matter doubly 
sure, your committee determined to strengthen the tower 
part by putting in two additional timbers, reaching from the 
foundation of the tower to the bell deck, and having con- 
nection with the rafters. After an examination of Churches 
and spires recently built, your committee concluded that the 
roof should be made steeper by five feet, and be framed and 
supported on an entirely different principle ; further, that the 
spire should be framed and covered in a different way from 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. RUFU8 EMERY. 135 

the former one. As the building now stands, the roof and all 
its weight, is independent uf the sides of the Church. The 
only weight that now rests upon the floor, is that of the seats, 
and the congregation when it occupies them. It was also 
determined to carry out the corners of the Church, so as to 
make it square, and have the whole building under one roof. 
Your committee have had before them from the beginning to 
the end of this work, the idea of strength, both in materials 
used, and mode in which they were put together ; and they 
believe that the plan on which the present Church is built, is 
not only the stronger, but is at the same time, one which is the 
most proper and fit for the Temple of God. The work has been 
done in a workmanlike manner. There has been no part to 
which your committee took exception, or had any objection 
to make. In oflfering this Church for the acceptance of the 
parish, your committee feel confident that they are presenting 
a building, which is in all respects, sound, substantial, and 
strong. Your committee would take this opportunity to 
thank those members of the parish, who brought timber from 
the woods to the Church site ; to those who assisted in 
clearing away the ruins ; and to all, who during the progress 
of the work, have assisted them in any way." This I'eport 
was unanimously acce^jted, and the thanks of the parish, for 
the generous and devoted services of the committee, were 
ordered to be entered upon the minutes. The strain attendant 
upon the erection of the new Church edifice, being happily 
over, the parish settled down once more to its accustomed 
routine of, worship and work. 

Trinity Church, on March 11th, 1864, sustained a great loss, 
by the death of Mr. Hull Sherwood, who had served it as vestry- 
man and warden, and as delegate to the Diocesan Convention, 
without intermission, for forty-five years. Mr. Sherwood was a 
Churchman from conviction. Early in life he became thoroughly 
informed concerning the worship and doctrine and polity of the 
Church, and it was his constant delight to join in the one, and to 



136 RECTORSHIP OF REV. RUFUS EMERY. 

uphold and defend the others. On Decembei- 28th, 1866, the 
Hon. Benjamin Pomeroy, for many years a generous benefactor 
and valued vestryman, died while on a visit to the Island of 
Santa Cruz, whither he had gone for the improvement of his 
health. On March 18th, of the following year, Mr. Andrew 




Moses Bui.kley. Vestryman, 1847-1868. 

Bulkley, another vestryman, whose interest in the welfare of 
the parish never flagged, was called to his eternal home. On 
May 11th, 1868, Mr. William Bulkley, also a vestryman, was 
removed by death. On November 16th, following, Mr. Moses 
Bulkley, beloved by the entire community, likewise a vestry- 



RECTOBSHIP OF REV. RUFUS EMERY. 137 

man and a stanch supporter of the parish, was summoned 
from this earthly scene. These men were a great loss; indeed, 
the passing away of such veritable pillars of Trinity Church 
marked the beginning of the decimation which, in the course 
of a few more years, was to completely transform it. 

The Rev. Mr. Emery, having completed a most successful 
Rectorship of twelve years, startled, as well as grieved 
the parish on the 1st of May, 1870, by tendering his 
resignation. The proposition was entirely of his own volition. 
The congregation was greatly attached to him; his ministra- 
tions were perfectly satisfactory ; the only reason given 
was a call to another field of labor, wherein he felt he 
could do a larger work. On May 9th, a special meeting was 
called, at which the parish voted unanimously to refuse con- 
sent to the Rector's resignation. On July 9th, having learned 
that the severance of the pastoral relation was still desired by 
Mr. Emery, the parish met, and reluctantly granted permission 
for him to retire. A series of eulogistic resolutions, testify- 
ing to the high degree of esteem in which he was held, " not 
only by his own parishioners, but by the whole community," 
were also passed. From Southport, Mr. Emery went to 
Calvary Church, Stonington, Conn., where he remained until 
1872 ; in that year, he became Rector of St. Paul's Church, 
Newburgh, where he officiates, beloved and honored, at the 
present time. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



Rectorship of the Rev. Edward Livingston Wells — Erection 
OF the Chapel 1870-1876, a. d. 




Rev. Edwakd L. Wells. 



At a special meeting of the parish, held August 23rd, 1870, 
the Rev. Edward L. Wells, was called to the vacant Rectorship, 
by the unanimous vote of the forty-six voters who were present. 



RECTORSHIP OF EEV. KDWARD LIVINGSTON WELLS. 



139 



He eutered upon his duties, Sunday, September 15th. Mr. Wells 
came from St. Stephen's Church, Pittsfield, Mass., where his 
ministry had been characterized by great spiritual and financial 
success. Endowed with a strong magnetic personality ; with 
oratorical powers of exceptional brilliancy ; with an intense 
enthusiasm for his Master's work, he began at once to quicken 
Trinity Church into a new and larger life. Congregations 




The Chapel, and the Pakish School. 1874. 



remarkable for their size, came to listen to his preaching ; 
contributions were made to religious and charitable objects, 
both within and without the parish, on a scale hitherto 
unknown in its histoiy. Those familiar with the past of 
Trinity Church, are wont to say that Mr. Wells' Rectorship 
occurred at a period when it was, from a financial point of 
view, at the zenith of its existence. Death, even then, 



140 RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDWARD LIVINGSTON WELLS. 

had begun its inroads, but still, " there were giants, in 
those days," that is, men of mark, possessed of indomitable 
will, of great executive ability, who by dint of their irrepressi- 
ble energy and wise foresight, had accumulated large fortunes. 
Their ships had sailed, without mishap, to foreign ports, and 
had brought back rich argosies. Their home investments had 
turned out to be exceedingly profitable. And there was a goodly 
number of these successful men. Whoever looked into the 
parish Church, at service time on Sunday, would see the pews 
all occupied, and at the head, occupying the seat of honor, a 
middle aged, or elderly parishioner, whose very appearance 
indicated that, at least, temporal prosperity had resulted from 
his struggle with the world. No wonder, then, that the 
offerings of the congregation, under such circumstances, were 
large ! The men who had ample wealth, and who were, all of 
them, devoted to the Church and its interests, were not lack- 
ing ! This is quite true ; but something also must be allowed 
for the marvellous power exerted upon them by him, who was 
their spiritual leader. Under his wholesome influence — the 
figures prove it — pocket-books that had been shut tightly, 
opened as freely as do the closed leaves of the flower, in response 
to the warm rays of the morning sun. Certainly, the offerings 
of Trinity Chqrch, during Mr. Wells' Eectorship, compared 
with the eras preceding, and those succeeding it, were some- 
thing phenomenal. 

Tlie Easter offerings for 1871 and 1872 were $625.51, and 
$697.00, respectively. In 1873, the missions of the Diocese 
received $4,854.00 ; Foreign and Domestic missions, $1,656.71. 
In 1874, contributions for Diocesan missions, were $2,068.00; 
Foreign and Domestic missions, $1,553.30. The Berkley 
Divinity School was gladdened with a gift of $2,000.00. Such 
large sums have never been given since. 

For his wisdom, as well as zeal, in another direction, Mr. 
W^ells deserves the highest commendation. He was an ardent 
believer in the usefulness of Parish Schools. His theory, and 




Francis B. I'ebkv, VhSTKYMAN, 1885. 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDWARD LIVINGSTON WELLS. 141 

experience has proven over and over again that it is the only 
right one, was that secular should go hand in hand with 
religious training. Although important, reading, writing and 
arithmetic, are not the all in all of life. Our children need to 
be taught to fear God and keep His commandments also. In 
1872, consent was given by the parish, for the erection of a 
building close by the Church, on the Church property, which 
" should be devoted to a Parish School, and for such other 
purposes as may be necessary." 

Mr. Wells easily raised $5,000.00 for this admirable object, 
and the Chapel, as it is now known, was soon built and paid 
for. At one period, about thirty young people of both sexes, 
were under daily instruction within its walls. Mr. Nathan 
Belden, Mrs. Hattie Bulkley, and the Rev. Isaac C. Sturgis 
were most satisfactory teachers, and contributed largely to the 
success of the school. 

During Mr. Wells' Rectorship, the losses sustained by death 
were numerous, and were deeply felt by the whole parish. 
Prominent among those taken away were Miss Mary Bradley, 
of Greenfield Hill, October 22nd, 1870, and her sister Griselda, 
September 21st, 1871 ; these two, the one, eighty-four, and 
the other, eighty-eight years of age, had been connected 
with Trinity parish from their childhood. " Faithful found 
among the faithless many," they journeyed from Greenfield 
Hill to the House of God, to join in its worship?, every Lord's 
Day, whether the weather was propitious, or whether it was 
not. O si sic otnnes / Othei'S deceased were, Mr. Lot Bulkley, 
November 4th, 1874 ; Capt. Charles Bulkley, October 3rd, 
1875 ; and Mr. Benjamin Pomeroy, 2nd, December 15th, 
the same year. In 1876, Mr. Wells received a call to St. 
John's Church, New Milford, Conn. At a meeting of the 
parish held November 8th, 1876, after duly considering the 
Rector's request for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, and 
understanding from him that it would be insisted upon, it 
was voted : " That we accept the Rector's resignation, at his 



142 RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDWARD LIVINGSTON WELLS. 

earnest solicitation, and tender him our prayers and sympa- 
thies, in whatever sphere his future eflbrts may be employed." 
Mr. Wells' Kectorship thus brought to a close, in results 
achieved, is one of the most remarkable in the long history of 
Trinity parish. In the six years that he presided over its 
aff,iirs he was instrumental in not only building the Chapel, 
but also in raising, exclusive of the amounts requisite for the 
Rector's salary, and other necessary Church expenses, for 




Charles Bui.kley, Vestryman, 384T-1875. 

outside purposes, $37,025.19 : for home purposes, $12,143.12, 
total $49,168.31. Add to this, the cost of the Chapel building, 
$5,000.00, and the grand total is $54,168.31. To this day his 
memory is fondly treasured b}' large numbers of his former 
flock. He served with continued success as Rector of St. 
John's Church, New Milford, Conn., until August 7th, 1881, 



142 RBCTOESHIP OF HEV. EDWARD LIVINGSTON WELLS. 

^'arnesi soIicitatioD, anc! iiim our prayers and sympa- 
thies, in whatever ;s( ' 'efforts may be employed." 
Mr. WellH Ktictoi- t to a close, in results 
achieve'd, is one of the d ' !e in the long history of 
Trinity parish. In ^' ' lod over its 
uft'.iirs he was instr.. ^he- Chitpel, 
but also in raising, exuv be 



Charles Bri.Ki.KY, Vkstbyman, )R-k 

outside purposes. 137,025.19: for Lome j 

total 5^49,168.31. Add to this, the • '^^Mg, 

$.^.000.00, and the grand total i^ iay his 

memory is fondly treasured by ^ "? ius former 

flock. He served with continuc-c . -s us Rector of St. 
Johns Church, New Milford, Conn., until August 7th, 1881, 




UiGHT Rev. Chadncky B. Brewstkr, D. D., 
Bishop Coadjutor. 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDWARD LIVINGSTON AYELLS. 143 

when he "fell on sleep,'' and entered into the Paradise of 
God. It is a pleasure to record that his son and namesake, 
was admitted to Holy Orders, in the same Church and at the 
same altar, in Southport, where his father so successfully 
ministered for nearly seven years, on Sunday, the 30th of 
January, 1898, by the Eight Rev. Chauncey B. Brewster, 
D. D., the Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese. This is the 
second instance of the kind in the history of the parish. The 
Rev. William Shelton, it will be remembered, was ordained by 
Bishop Brownell, after the Rev. Philo Shelton's death, in the 
Church at Mill Plain. 



CHAPTER XX. 



Rectorship of the Rev. Taliaferko P. Caskey, 1877-1879, a. d. 




The Rev. Taliaferro P. Caskey. 

FROM THE CHURCHMAN. 



Shortly after Mr. Wells' departure to New Milford, the Rev. 
Taliaferro P. Caskey, officiated in Trinity Church, and at a 
special meeting of the parish, held August 6th, 1877, it was 
voted, "that he be tendered a unanimous call to the Rector- 
ship." One feature of the proceedings was, at least, unique. 
It was further voted, " that the salary of the Rector be 
twelve hundred dollars a year, until such time as the cordial 
j:elations of the members be manifested by their usual sub- 




Mk. Francis Jelliff. 
Vestryman! and Warden, 1854-1896. 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. TALIAFERRO P. OASKEY. 145 

scriptions ; then the sum of fifteen hundred dollars should be 
recognized as the salary of the Kector." Mr. Caskey soon 
established "cordial relations'' all around, for at the next 
annual parish meeting, his salary was raised to the con- 
templated sum of fifteen hundred dollars per year. In 1878, 
a class of twenty-six was confirmed ; and the contributions 
for Diocesan and Domestic missions amounted to $2,072.56. 
On December 4th, Justus Sherwood, M. D., the village phys- 
ician, who had served the parish as vestryman for many years, 
died, aged seventy-three years. The resolutions inscribed 
in the Parish Record, speak of him as " one whose unobtru- 
sive excellence of character was generally acknowledged ; 
who labored faithfully in his profession ; and whose kindness 
of heart and cheerfulness of disposition, indicated the true 
Christian." In the spring of 1879, Mr. Caskey took unto 
himself a fair helpmeet from among the maidens of his flock, 
Miss Phoebe Lacy, and went on a bridal tour to Europe. His 
absence from the parish was expected to be of brief duration, 
but, the rectorship of St. John's Church, at Dresden, Saxony, 
being vacant at that time, he was induced to resign his 
American charge. After a brief visit to the home-land, in the 
fall of the same year, he settled down indefinitely in a foreign 
clime. All who are conversant with the progress, for many 
years past, of the American Church abroad, know that the 
great work done by Mr. Caskey, in the Saxon capital, is no 
small featui'e of it. When the writer had temporary charge 
of the American congregation in Dresden, during August and 
September, 1876, it met for worship on Sunday mornings 
only, in a hall, which during the week was utilized by the 
bankers and brokers, for their sales and exchanges. Now, 
St. John's Church, Parish House, and Rectory, all of stone, 
and of exquisite architecture, built through Mr. Caskey's 
exertions, and under his immediate supervision, testify to his 
rare abilities, and unconquerable zeal. At the present time, 
Mr. Caskey is still the beloved Rector of the parish at Dresden. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



The Rectorship of the Rev. Charles G. Adams, 1879 1890, a. d. 




The Rev. Charles G. Adams. 



When the Rev. Mr. Caskey went abroad, in the spring of 
1879, he engaged as his *' locum tenens,'^ the Rev. Charles G. 
Adams. The substitute thus provided, proved so thoroughly 
acceptable that, when later on, the Rector determined to 
resign his charge, and remain in Dresden, the congregation, 
with one accord, decided to make his stay among them perma- 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. CHARLES G. ADAMS. 147 

nent. At a special parish meeting, held the 17th of November, 
1879, Mr. Adams was unanimously called to the Rectorship of 
Trinity Church. During the period that he held it, death 
■wrought great changes in the parish. Mr. Allen Nichols, for 
many years vestryman and treasurer, died May 22nd, 1879. 
Capt. Jonathan Godfrey, who for fifty years was vestryman, 
senior and junior warden, benefactor, and main-stay of the 
parish, succumbed August 3rd, 1882, to a creeping paralysis, 
the result of a fall from his carriage, caused by a runaway, the 
year previous. This devoted, unselfish, generous friend of 
Trinity parish, first appears on the Parish Record in 1831, 
when he was elected a vestryman. From that time onwards, 
in season and out of season, the welfare, the advancement of 
the parish were the objects to which he consecrated his life. 
The present Rector laments profoundly, that his coming to 
Trinity Church, was not in the time of Capt. Jonathan 
Godfrey. He knows it would have cheered his heart to 
have worked hand in hand with one so thoroughly in earnest 
in all good works. Another irreparable loss was Mr. Francis 
D. Perry, who died November 16th, 1884. Of all those who 
have proved generous contributors to Trinity parish, this fine 
type of a Christian gentlemen, sans peiir et sans reproche, 
and his estimable wife, who was removed from among us at a 
later date, stand foremost. Henry Sturges, who served many 
years as vestryman, the grandson of Rev. Philo Shelton, ever 
zealous in behalf of the Church of his affections, always 
generous in his gifts to promote its welfare, passed away, 
January 4th, 1885. Augustus Jennings, for forty-two years, 
at different times, vestryman, clerk, superintendent of the 
Sunday School, and delegate to the Diocesan Convention, one 
most prominent in the councils of the parish, and its earnest 
supporter, deceased, June lOtb, 1886. On December 28th, 
1888, another valued parishioner, David Banks, entered into 
rest. He was vestryman, 1836-44 ; junior warden, 1844-64 ; 
senior warden, 1864-88, making altogether, an unbroken 



148 



EECTORSHIP OF REV. CHARLES G. ADAMS. 



service of 52 years, and thus constituting a record with few 
parallels. On September 8th, 1890, Charles Rockwell, also one 
of the vestry, urbane, large-hearted, beloved throughout the 
County of Fairfield, and even beyond its borders, in the 
comfort of a religious, holy Hope, passed from the Church 
Militant to the Church Triumphant. These were all repre- 




jonathan godfkey, 
Vestryman and Wardkn, 1831-1882. 

sentative men, and their loss would have been felt deeply in 
any congregation in the land. How much more, then, in this 
suiall community, where increase from persons moving in, 
and making it their permanent home, is a matter of the rarest 
occurrence. The marvel is, that having undergone such a 
thorough depletion of its strongest supporters, Trinity 
Church still continues in as vigorous condition as it is! 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. CHARLES G. ADAMS. 149 

One important step in advance, amounting almost to a 
revolution, so far as old-time methods were concerned, marked 
Mr. Adams' Rectorship. From the year the parish was organ- 
ized, the custom of renting the pews and sittings annually to the 
highest bidders, prevailed. The incongruity, not to say sacrilege, 
involved in turning the House of God, even once a year, into 
a mart, where the quirks of the auctioneer were heard, did 
not seem to occur to those who sanctioned the practice. No 
doubt, many assented to it thoughtlessly, for the reason that 
all the New England Churches were wedded to tlie same cus- 
tom. At length, a more sensible view began to be taken. 
If the spiritual comfort derived from the ministrations of 
the Sanctuary is worth anything, it is worth contracting and 
paying for in a quiet, business-like way. At the annual 
parish meeting, held Api'il 6th, 1885, Mr. Francis Jelliff made 
the following timely remarks : " Mr. Chairman and Grentle- 
men: The plan of selling the seats at auction, in a Church 
consecrated to the worship of Almighty God, as has been 
practiced by us, seems to be irreverent and wicked ; and 
some better means of disposing of them should be adopted at 
once. I therefore oflfer the following resolution : Resolved, 
that a committee of four merpbers of the Vestry be appointed 
to devise and adopt a plan that will do away with the annual 
auctioneering ; and that when such plan shall be agreed upon, 
they shall put it in printed form ; and that they shall, as soon 
as it is advisable, submit it to every pew-holder, for his, or 
her adoption ; and if such plan shall seem to give general 
satisfaction, it shall go into effect at the next annual meeting, 
and continue so until rescinded." This resolution was passed 
unanimously, and the assent of the congregation to the plan 
submitted by the committee, being quite general, it went into 
effect at the time indicated, and no one, it is safe to say, 
would now go back to the old way. 

One of Mr. Adams' successful achievements, was the 
establishment of a monthly paper, entitled, the " Church 



160 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. CHARLES G. ADAMS. 



Record." It was the tirst attempt iu this counti'y, to put 
forth a publication which should serve as a medium of com- 
munication between the different Rectors and their parishes. 
All of the New England Dioceses, with the exception of 
Massachusetts, promptly made it their ofiScial organ. At one 




David Banks. 
Vestryman and Wakdkn, 1836-1888. 



time its circulation ran into the tens of thousands. It was 
his devotion to this important work, that ultimately led Mr. 
Adams to resign the Rectorship of the parish. He found 
that when an "avocation," becomes a "vocation," it makes 
such demands on one's time and energies, that other interests, 
if there be any, invariably have to suffer. 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. CHARLES O. ADAMS. 151 

After a Rectorship of eleven years, in the course of which 
he endeared himself by his eminent aVjilities to great numbers 
of his parishioners, and as well, to the community at large, Mr. 
Adams retired May 5th, 1890, and sometime later accepted 
the charge of St. Mark's Memorial Chapel, New York City. 
After serving acceptably in that charge for some years, he 
went west, and is at the present time, Rector of St. Phillip's 
Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



The Rectorship of the Rev. Edmund Guilbert, 1891- 




The Rev. Edmtnd Guilbekt. 

The resignation of the Rev. Charles G. Adams was accepted 
in the fall of 1890, and early in 1891, the Rev. Edmund 
Guilbert, who had been for the past twelve years, Rector of 
the Church of the Holy Spirit, New York City, was unani- 
mously called to fill the vacant Rectorshij). The new Rector, 



BBCTOBSHrP OF BEV. EDMUND 6DILBEBT. 153 

the thirteenth in Buccession from the first incumh>ent, the 
Rev. Henry Cauer, who filled the position from 1727 to 1747, 
A. D , brought with him to his rural charge, a large experience 
gained in an important city parish, and straightway gained 
the confidence and affection of his congregation. Whatever 
slight differences may have existed, were speedily forgotten ; 
and a united people hastened to show that the welfare of the 
parish, was the oVjject that lay nearest their hearts. The first 
indication of the zeal that was awakened, was a desire, both 
spontaneous and general, to have the interior of the Church 
edifice rehabilitated. Since its consecration in 18G2, no effort 
had been made to repair the ravages of time, and as was to be 
expected, the Church within, looked decidedly the worse for 
wear. A committee on interior decoration was appointed, 
the sum of $3,000.00 raised, and the Church was beautified to 
a degree that surprised and delighted every beholder. A 
number of memorial gifts, including a new chancel carpet, 
and railing, a credence table, candelabra, altar vases, and 
embroidered altar-cloths fur the different Church seasons, oaken 
sedilia, prayer desks, also added materially in imparting a more 
devotional, as well as asthetical aspect to the Sanctuarj'. 

Ever since the sale of the former Rectorj' to the New York 
and New Haven Railroad Company, the Rect^jr of the parish 
had been without a settled home. It was felt by many of the 
congregation, that the time had c^jme to provide once more 
for this imperative need. With this purpose in view, a parish 
meeting was held October Cth, 1891, at which the Yeniry was 
formally authorized to purchase a suitable lot, and erect 
thereon a comfortable parsonage. This structure was com- 
pleted, and occupied, August 1st, 1892, and in it the Rector and 
his family, were delightfully housed for the space of one year 
when an event occurred which compelled them although with 
reluctance, to make another change. On the 23rd of April, 
1893, Mrs. Francis D. Perry, a beloved member of the parish, 
the relict of Mr. Francis D. Perry, whose demise is noted in 



154 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDMUND GUILBERT. 



the preceding chapter, was summoned to her eternal rest ; and 
it was subsequently discovei-ed that her commodious homestead 
and grounds, situate on Pequot Avenue, almost directly opposite 
the parish Church, had been left to the Rector of Trinity, 
and his successors in office " for a residence, and for no other 
use or purpose, forever." This munificent gift, the culmina- 
tion of a devotion to the welfare of the parish that during 
its existence has never been surpassed, is now occupied 




Trinity Church Chancel, 1898. 
(Showing the Rockwell Memorial Candelabra.) 

by the present incumbent, and places him, so far as a 
delightful residence can do so, in a position that leaves 
nothing to be desired. Trinity parish thus owns, in this year 
of grace, 1898, its fourth Rectory. The first was in Fairfield 
village, and was destroyed by fire in 1779. The second, and 
third, located in Southport, have been transferred to other 
owners. The fourth, " the Perry Rectory," let us hope, will 




Trinity Chubch, Easter, 1890. 



BECTORSHIP OF REV. EDMUND GUILBERT. 155 

stand, proof against fire and flood, and the onslaughts of 
time, and be the shelter, not only of the Rector of to day, as 
long as he shall preside over the parish, but of those who 
shall follow him for generations to come. 

The sale of the second Rectory was followed by a result 
that is worthy of chronicUng. A satisfactory sum having been 
offered for the property, the Vestry unanimously voted to 
accept it. After the purchase had been consummated, at the 
request of the Rector, fifteen hundred dollars of the proceeds 
were appropriated for the purchase of a new organ for the 
parish Church, conditional upon the same amount being 
raised by subscription. As the want of a larger, and more 
modern instrument, had long been felt by all the parishioners, 
the necessary sum was soon pledged, and on the 1st of July, 
1894, the Dedication of what has proved to be an exceptionally 
helpful and acceptable adjunct to Divine worship took place. 
For the present, the organ is located in the gallery, at the 
west eud of the Church ; but plans for a chancel extension 
have been drawn, and the Rector hopes to live to see the day, 
when the organ, put in its proper place, shall, in unison with 
a vested choir of men and boys, do its part in a rich and 
stately rendering of the praises of Almighty God. 

As has been stated, many years before the present Rector 
came to Southport, death had begun to make frequent and 
serious inroads upon the strength of the parish. And since 
his Rectorship began, there has been no abatement in this 
respect. In the brief space of seven years, he has officiated 
at tbe bui'ial of no less than thirty-five adult members of his 
flock. Edward Hawkins, junior-warden of the parish, and 
one of its most faithful upholders, died December 4th, 1891. 
Mr. Francis Jelliff, who was taken from us after a sudden 
illness, July 23rd, 1896, served as vestryman from 1854 to- 
1882, and senior-warden, from 1882, to the time of his death. 
He was also parish treasurer, 1879 to 1893. The parish dur- 
ing this decade, also suffers, in addition to the loss of Mrs, 



156 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDMUND GUILBERT. 



Francis D. Perry, that of other devoted women, whose efforts 
in its behalf, were untiring. Among them are Mrs. John H. 
Sherwood, Mrs. Lewis A. Curtis, Mrs. Zalmon P. Wakeman, 
Mrs. Mary J. GaUagher, and Miss Elizabeth D. Banks. 

The " Crossing of the River " of one whose name has, so 
far, not been mentioned, has resulted in the gift to the 
Church of a beautiful memorial Font, executed in Dresden, 




The Second Southfort Parsonage 

Saxony, and modelled after the famous original of the Swedish 
sculptor, Thorwalsden. The beautiful life itself, which it 
commemorates, needs no visible reminder to perpetuate its 
power and memory. That has left its abiding record upon 
the hearts of all who came within its influence. None the 
less, the memorial erected, will serve through many coming 
years, to point the lesson of faithfulness, by recalling one 
who, though fond of life, yet when she was called upon to 
relinquish it, willingly laid all its longings and hopes at the 
fout of the Cross, and entered into the joy of her Lord. 



^^HK 


''''i'. i^^^B^^^^^B 


^^^^^^^^^H 


^P#;:,';'^;::,.l 


^^^^^^^^L. ^^^ 


^^^^^^,-^... ., - ^ 


^^^^V 




^^^^^' f^.. 








^^B /J 




^^^^■^ 




^^v^ 




^^Hh .^ 'k^ 





TpE Rockwell Memorial Font. 



i 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDMUND GUILBERT. 157 

The inscription on the Rockwell Memorial Font is: 

In Memoriam. 

ANNA ROBINSON ROCKWELL, 

Born November 12th, 1849— Died February 13th, 1893. 

" And the Angel said : I am alive forevermore." 

To all these noble women, whose departure from among us, 
Trinity parish constantly laments, and whose efforts, ever ex- 
erted in its behalf, are to-day so greatly missed as well as 
needed, the poet's words are most applicable : 

" Besides, — what grieved us most — we knew 
They had no need of such as you 
In the place where you were going. 
On earth are angels all too few. 
While Heaven is overflowing." 

"The Annals of an Old Parish'' are here brought to a 
close. The great and good work done in the past, surely is an 
incentive to those upon whom Elijah's mantle has fallen, to 
so labor that the perpetuity and the efficiency of Trinity 
Church shall be assured for all time to come. It is true that 
its membership is constantly growing smaller. As those who 
are conversant with the situation well know, death, and re- 
movals from the village, are active factors in producing this 
result. But the writer believes the time is not far off, when 
this shrinkage will come to an end. Southport, and its 
outlying parts, are too admirably situated, not to advance, 
rather than retrograde, in the future. Some day, there will be 
an inflow of population that will change entirely the present 
aspect of things. In the interval, while waiting for the 



158 EECTOBSHIP OF REV. EDMUND GUILBERT. 

improvement that is sure to come, those upon whom the 
prosperity of Trinity Church now depends, must acquire a spirit 
of consecration, that will hesitate at no sacrifice in its behalf. 
A. few possessed of unity, purpose, zeal, courage, can accom- 
plish far more than a multitude that is aimless and indifferent. 
One, out of his own experience, has written a lesson con- 
cerning this : 

" A craven hung along the battle's edge. 
And thought, ' Had I a sword of keener steel, — 
That blue blade that the king's son bears, — but this 
Blunt thing! ' he snapt and flung it from his hand, 
And, lowei'ing, crept away and left the field. 
Then came the king's son, wounded, sore bestead, 
And weaponless, and saw the broken sword, 
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand, 
And ran and snatched it, and, with battle-shout 
Lifted afresh, he hewed his enemy down, 
And saved a great cause that heroic day." 
Even if the prospect were so desperate as that, the writer 
would still hope and believe that the spirit of heroism would 
inspire the members of Trinity parish to do their whole duty. 
But the matter wears another aspect. They are called to lead 
no forlorn hope, to commit themselves to no such doubtful 
enterprise. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not a sentimental 
theor3\ It is based on human need. It alone meets the 
universal desire for pardon of sin, and acceptance with 
God. And the Church that faithfully preaches this Gospel 
can never fail. The Divine promise is, "the Gates of Hell 
shall not prevail against it." Only let them rise to the level 
of the nobility of the grand principles which they profess, 
and failure cannot ensue. Theirs, they claim, and believe 
is the Church of the Living God. J^oblesse Oblige! Let 
them prove to those about them its superiority by asking 
them frankly, not boastingly, but simply, to judge them 
by their fruits. However grand the idea may be, though 



RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDMUND GUILBERT. 159 

we may have all the motive forces of the world, if they 
do not actually result in a changed, renewed life, then we 
are proving ourselves infidel to our faith, and are preach- 
ing a word which the world will not hear, and a word 
which the world ought not to hear. If a man wants to build 
a new mill, he does not put in new machinery that simply 
looks well. He asks, Does it work well ? Have you tried it ? 
Until they see the actual result of the thing, that it is really 
better than what they have, men do not give up the old. 
Trinity Church must produce the highest types of Christian 
men and women, eminent for piety, for justice, for charity, for 
sympathy, if it hopes to continue to the end : for it is the 
fittest forever that survives. Unless a Church makes itself the 
fittest, it not only must, but it ought to go down. 

The future of Trinity Church rests, then, the writer be- 
lieves, even in the light of the Divine promise concerning the 
perpetuity of the Church as a whole, largely upon the members 
themselves. To be certain that its doors shall be open to 
welcome the weary and heavy-laden for a far longer period 
in the time to come, than they have been in the past, its 
members are simply asked to rise to the grandeur of the 
Gospel their Church preaches ; to become, in deed, not merely 
in name, veritable disciples of Jesus Christ, and then to open 
their hearts, their minds, the treasures that they possess, — 
not merely of money, that is least of all, — for the benefit of 
the community that they love so well. 

If they do that, there can be no uncertainty about the 
welfare of Trinity Church, so far as the present or future is 
concerned. 

Citizens and Christians, Churchmen and non-Churchmen, 
one and all, of this old Town of Fairfield ! Because this 
Trinity Church, which has flourished among you since 1725, 
a. d., is a Scriptural Church and not revolutionary; because 
its Book of Common Prayer is rich and venerable above all, 
save One, in the English tongue ; because its Ritual promotes 



ICO RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDMUND GUILBERT. 

decency, dignity, piety, reverence, and permanence ; because 
its Histoi'ic Union through the Apostles comforts so many 
souls ; because the Gospel preached in its pulpit is the 
old unchanged Glad-Tidings that Christ Himself proclaimed ; 
because it has for six generations spiritually begotten and 
trained the best types of Christian manhood and womanhood 
among you : — Therefore, from its own Psalter, let us take the 
words wherewith to bless it: — 

'^XLbce sball prosper tbat love tbec. peace be witbin 
tbs walls, anD plenteousnees witbin tbs palaces, jfor m^ 
bretbren anD companions' salves, II will wisb tbee pros* 
peritg. lea, because of tbe Ibouse of tbe lorD our 6o£), 
11 will seek to Oo tbee ©ooD." 



THE END. 







Thk Fkancis D. Fekkv Kectobv. 



.ik. 



APPENDICES. 



APPENDICES. 



What an attic-room is to the thrifty housewife, an Appendix 
is to the maker of a book. Some things that do not seem to 
be in place in the parlor, or sitting-room, are yet useful, and 
altogether too good to be thrown away, so they are put into 
the garret, where they will be accessible at all times, and 
ready for any unexpected use that may be made of them. 
In a book there are matters that the writer thinks ought 
to interest many of his readers ; things that will be greatly 
missed if they are not found somewhere between the 
covers of the volume ; and yet the place, or need, is wanting 
to incorporate these odd pieces in the orderly chapters of the 
book. This is the writer's only reason for giving in this place, 
several long lists, and some interesting historical documents. 

CONTENTS. 

A. Bishops of the Diocese of Connecticut. 

B. Clergymen who officiated in Fairfield before 1727. 

C. Rectors of Trinity Parish. 

D. Church- Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Parish. 
E Baptisms recorded previous to 1779. 

F. Curious facts in the Life of Dr. James Laborie. 

G. Statement concerning Trinity Pai'ish, written in the 
Parish Record, by the Rev. Nathaniel E. Cornwall, September 
5th, 1851. 

H. Sketch of the Church at Fairfield, by the Rev. Philo 
Shelton, written in the year 1804. 
I. Private Parochial Register of the Rev. Philo Shelton. 

( Containing over 4,000 names of persons Baptized, 

Confirmed, Admitted to the Communion, Married, and 

Buried, during the Rev. Philo Shelton's Rectorship.) 

J. Obituary Notices of the Rev. Philo Shelton, and Lucy 

Shelton, his wife, by the Rev. Dr. Jarvis, 1827. 

K. The Bible and Prayer Book Society of Trinity Parish. 



162 APPENDIX A. 



APPENDIX A. 



Bishops of the Diocese of Connecticut. 

1. The Right Rev. William Seabury, D. D., Nov. 14th 
1784, to Feb. 25th, 1796. 

2. The Right Rev. Abraham Jarvis, D. D., Oct. 18th, 1797, 
to May 13th, 1815. 

3. The Right Rev. John Heniy Hobart, D. D., June 1st, 
1816, to June 1st, 1819. 

( In charge during vacancy in the Episcopate.) 

4. The Right Rev. Thomas C. Brownell, D. D., Oct. 27th, 
1819, to Jan. 13th, 1865. 

5. The Right Rev. John WilHams, D. D., D. C. L., Oct. 
29th, 1851—. 

6. The Right Rev. Chauncey B. Brewster, D. D., Oct, 
28th, 1897— 

( Bishop Coadjutor.) 



APPENDIX B. 



163 



APPENDIX B. 



■Clergymen who Officiated in, but were not Located in the 

Town of Fairfield, Previous to the Organization of 

Trinity Parish. 

1. The Kev. George Muirson, 1707. 

2. The Rev. Evan Evans, 1707. 

3. The Rev. John Talbot, 1709. 

4. The Rev. Mr. Sharpe, 1710. 

5. The Rev. Mr. Bridge, 1712. 

6. The Rev. George Pigot, 1722-3. 

7. The Rev. Samuel Johnson, 1723-7. 

The first House of Worship, erected by Trinity parish, on 
Mill Plain, was Dedicated to the service of Almighty God, 
by Rev. Mr. Johnson, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 10th, 1825. Dr. 
Johnson, at the time, was Rector of Christ Church, Stratford. 
Tx'inity pai-ish as an organization, dates from 1724. 



164 APPENDIX C. 



APPENDIX C. 



Rectors of Trinity Parish. 

1. Rev. Henry Cauer, 1727-47. 

2. Rev. Joseph Lamson, 1747-74. 

3. Rev. John Sayre, 1774-79. 

4. Rev. Philo Shelton, 1785-1825. 

5. Rev. William Shelton, 1825-29. 

6. Rev. Charles Smith, 1829-34. 

7. Rev. Nathaniel E. Cornwall, 1834-53. 

8. Rev. James E. Purdy, 1853-58. 

9. Rev. Rufus Emery, 1858-70. 

10. Rev. Edward L. Wells, 1870-77. 

11. Rev. TaHaffero P. Caskey, 1877-79. 

12. Rev. Charles G. Adams, 1879-90. 

13. Rev. Edmund Guilbert, 1891— 



APPENDIX D. 165 

APPENDIX D. 



Church Wardens and Vestrymen. 

There are no Records of Trinity Church, so far as is known, 
that reach further back than the year 1779, a. d. With the 
exception of a few names that have been preserved, those who 
served the parish in an official capacity, previous to that date 
are unknown. The figures appended to the lists given below, 
indicate the time when the election took place. For some 
years there were no wardens elected. A committee, varying 
in number from year to yeai*, together with the clerk and the 
treasurer, was appointed to administer the affairs of the 
parish. 

Wardens and Vestrymen, previous to the burning of Fair- 
field, 1779 : 

WARDENS. 

Moses Ward, 1727, Isaac Jennings, 1730, 

David Lyon, 1727, Abraham Puling, 1730. 

VESTRYMEN. 

Dr. James Laborie, 1725, Samuel Lyon, 1780, 

Abraham Adams, 1725, Isaac Brown, 1730, 

Dougal MacKenzie, 1727, Benjamin Burt, 1730, 

John Lockwood, 1727, Henry James, 1730, 

Nathan Adams, 1727, Moses Knapp, 1730. 
Benjamen Sturges, 1727, 

Wardens and Vestrymen from the burning of Fairfield, 
1779 to 1898. 

WARDENS. 

Abraham Bulkley, 1804-25, Judson Nichols, 1836-37, 

Daniel Meeker, 1804-9, Hull Sherwood, 1837-64, 

Reuben Sherwood, 1809-13 Jesse Banks, 1838-39, 

Walter Sherwood, 1813-36, Timothy Williams, 1839-42, 



166 



APPENDIX D. 



Hull Sherwood, 1825-26, 
David B. Perry, 1826-28, 
Stephen Beers, 1828-29, 
Abel Beers, 1829-30, 
Hull Sherwood, 1830-33, 
Abel Beers, 1833-36, 
William Bulkley, 1836-38, 



David Banks, 1842-69, 
Jonathan Godfrey, 1861-83, 
Francis Jelli£f, 1883-96, 
Edward Hawkins, 1889-92, 
Lewis A. Curtis, 1892—, 
Oliver Bulkley, 1896—. 



VESTRYMEN. 



John Sherwood, 1779, 
Ezra Katlin, 1779, 
Peter Bulkley, 1779, 
Daniel Wheeler, 1779, 
Henry Bulkley, 1784, 
Jonathan Bulkley, 1784, 
Rowland Spalding, 1784, 
Thomas Holbertson, 1784, 
Seth Stiirges, 1784, 
WiUiam Bulkley, 1784, 
Thomas Treadwell, 1785, 
Ozia Burr, 1785, 
Stephen Adams, 1785, 
David Beers, 1785, 
Ichabod Burr, 1785, 
Joshua Jennings, 1785, 
Seth Sturges, 1785, 
Reuben Beers, 1785, 
Thomas Elwood, 1785, 
Ebenezer Nichols, 1785, 
David Jennings, 1785, 
John Perry, 1785, 
Hezekiah Sturges, 1785, 
Nathan T. Nichols, 1787, 
Samuel Cannon, 1790, 
Gershom Bulkley, 1790, 



William Sherwood, 1838, 
Walter Bulkley, 1838, 
David B. Sturges, 1838, 
Henry Sturges, 1842, 
George Peck, 1843, 
Augustus Jennings, 1844, 
Henry Perry, 1846, 
Lot Bulkley, 1846, 
Moses Bulkley, 1847, 
Charles Bulkley, 1847, 
Charles Cartlidge, 1847, 
Allen Nichols, 1847, 
Edward Ogden, 1848, 
S. P. V. R. Tenbroeck, 1848, 
Julius Pike, 1850, 
Zalmon Wakeman, 1851, 
Francis Jelliff, 1851, 
Benjamin Pomeroy, 1853, 
John H. Sherwood, 1853, 
George M. Hawkins, 1854, 
Andrew Bulkley, 1855, 
Samuel Pike,1856, 
Abel Beers, 1856, 
George B. Kissam, 1856, 
Edgar Burroughs, 1856, 
Isaac Milbank, 1858, 



APPENDIX D. 



167 



Elnathan Smitb, 1793, 
Thomas Nash, 1793, 
Benjamin Sturges, 1793, 
Abraham Bulkley, 1793, 
Daniel Meeker, 1797, 
Aaron Beers, 1798, 
Jeremiah Sturges, 1801, 
David Beers, 1803, 
David Hubbell, 1805, 
David Nichols, 1808, 
Alexander S. Nichols, 1808, 
Nathaniel Perry, 1813, 
Moses Jennings, Jr., 1813, 
Abel Ogden, 1814, 
Abel Beers, 1815, 
Thaniel P. Beers, 1816, 
Hull Sherwood, 1818, 
John Banks, 1818, 
David Jennings, 1818, 
William Robinson, 1819, 
Jesse Banks, 1821, 
David B. Perry, 1823, 
Joel B. Bulkley, 1826, 
Samuel Beers, 1826, 
Joseph W. Davis, 1830, 
George Ogden, 1831, 
Jonathan Godfrey, Jr., 1832, 
John G. Allen, 1833, 
James Bulkley, 1833, 
Stephen Miller, 1836, 
David Banks, 1836, 



William Bulkley, 1858, 
Alva D. Wood, 1858, 
David B. Sturges, 1858, 
Justus Sherwood, M. D., 1859, 
John H. Wood, 1859, 
Jesup B. Wakeman, 1860, 
WilHam H. Thorp, 1860, 
R DePeyster, 1864, 
Oliver Bulkley, 1868, 
Franklin Bulkley, 1868, 
Lewis A. Curtis, 1873, 
George B. Bunnell, 1874, 
Charles Rockwell, 1875, 
John Hawkins, 1877, 
Howard N. Wakeman, 1879, 
Edward Hawkins, 1880, 
Edward M. Bulkley, 1881, 
Charles F. Bulkley, 1881, 
Francis D. Perry, 1885, 
Abram B. Sturges, 1888, 
E. Livingston Wells, 1888, 
Roderick P. Curtis, 1889, 
Arthur O. Jennings, 1891, - 
E. Cornelius Sherwood, 1891, 
Moses Bulkley, 1891, 
Lewis B. Curtis, 1891, 
Oliver T. Sherwood, 1891, 
Nellis H. Sherwood, 1894, 
John Hawkins, 1897, ( Second 

election). 
Wilbur C. Jennings, 1898. 



168 



APPENDIX E. 

APPENDIX E. 



Baptism's Recorded Previous to 1799. 

1722. May 27th, Mary and Richard Livesay ; Abraham 
Adams. 

Baptized by Rev. George Pigot, at Stratford, although 

belonging to the Town of Fairfield. 

November 30th, John Partridge (Adult). 

This is the first baptism recorded by Rev. George 

Pigot, as administered in Fairfield. 

1723. June 30th, Ruth Knapp. 

1724. April 19th, Elizabeth Hill. 

This child was baptized by the Rev. Samuel Johnson. 
June 24th, Mary Patrick, (Adult). 

Baptized in Norwalk by Rev. Samuel Johnson, and 
properly included in Fairfield, which at that time, 
embraced the whole of Fairfield County except Strat- 
ford, and Newtown. 
July 19th, Sara Livesay. 

September 2nd, John, Nathaniel, and Jonathan Whit- 
lock. 
November 8th, William Wardell. 

1725. March I4th, Mary Patrick. 

July 1st, Rebekah Moor, (Adult); Phebe Crowfoot. 
August 8th, Mary Ward. 

November 10th, Elizabeth, Moses, and Daniel Knapp. 
These three were baptized on the day of the annual 
Thanksgiving, when the Rev. Samuel Johnson opened 
and dedicated the first Church built on Mill Plain. 

1726. February 15th, Isaac Browne. 
September 29th, Daniel Ketchum. 
November 5th, John Thompson. 



APPENDIX E. 169 

1727. January 30th, Ephraim, Abigail, and Hester Nichols ; 
Lydia Stevens. 

May 5th, Benjamin Franklin, ( Adult ) ; Benjamin 
Franklin, ( son of the preceding ) ; Keziah Crowfoot. 
May 23rd, Abigail, Benjamin, and Eliphalet Turney. 
May 24th, Eliphalet Hill, and Adams Whitlock. 
November 12th, William Livesay. 

November 16th, Daniel Sherwood, ( Adult ) ; Joseph 
Browne, John Saunders and Mehitabel Patrick. 

These are the last Baptisms recorded as administered by 
Rev. Samuel Johnson. About this time Rev. Henry Caner 
returned from England, in Holy Orders, and took charge of 
the Church in the town of Fairfield. The above names and 
facts were obtained from the private registers kept by Messrs. 
Pigot and Johnson. After Rev. Mr. Caner began his 
ministry, the record of his official acts was kept in a volume 
belonging to the parish. This was the plan also adopted by 
his successors. This record full, we may not doubt, of most 
interesting notitia, was in the possession of the Rev. John 
Sayre at the time of the burning of the village of Fairfield, 
and was consumed with the parsonage and its contents. 



170 APPENDIX F. 

APPENDIX F. 



Some Curious Facts in the Life of Dr. James Laborie. 

The Protestant Episcopal Church in the Town of Fairfield, 
owes a debt beyond human compensation, to Dr. James 
Laborie. He was, so far as we know, practicallj'^ its founder. 
The earliest services of which we have any record, were held 
by him. As early as 1723, he officiated as lay-reader, according 
to the usage of the Church of England, in his own house in 
Fairfield, on those Sundays on which the Rev. Mr. Pigot 
preached in Stratford, or some other place. It appears that 
he came to this country at the close of the 17th Century, as a 
teacher, under the patronage of the Bishop of London, and 
being disturbed by the Indians, in the vicinity of Boston, 
where he first resided, he came to the Colony and County of 
Fairfield, and began by an introductory discourse, to act as 
a missionary to the English and native inhabitants, but was 
interrupted immediately by one of the magistrates. This 
commencement of his efforts in Connecticut was at Stratford, 
where he seems to have resided from 1703 to 1717. In the 
year 1718, he is mentioned as an inhabitant of Fairfield, and 
there he continued to sojourn until the time of his death. 
Dr. Laborie, in addition to his qualifications as teacher, and 
missionary, was also a physician of considerable eminence. 
WiUiam C. Wile, A. M., M. D., in the Centennial Record of the 
Fairfield County Medical Association, page 22, is responsible 
for the following information concerning him ; and as every- 
thing that can be gleaned from the past concerning Dr. 
Laborie is worth preserving, it is given a place in this 
appendix : 

" On one occasion, while he lived at Stratford, Dr. Laborie 
was summoned over the river to Milford by Mr. Lyon, the 
merchant of that place, whose wife was suffering from hysteri- 



APPENDIX F. 171 

cal paroxysms, or some nervous affliction. The Doctor 
promptly obeyed the summons and with three men to row 
him over the river and through the ice, repaired to the house 
of the patient. That he attended the case with fidelity is 
apparent from the fact that in a few weeks he sent his 
employer a bill for charges exceeding fifty pounds. Mr. 
Lyon insisted on having the items of what he probably con- 
sidered a large account, and as the case was brought to Court 
for judgment, the Doctor was required to make out the bill in 
detail. From that account I have taken the liberty of making 
a few extracts : ' Lewis Lyon, Dr., to James Laborie of Strat- 
ford, the 18th day of December, 1706, for his wife, my 
journey through the ice in a canoe with three men to put me 
over, 12 shillings ; same night administered to his wife hysteric 
cordial, comp. diuretic and hysterick drink, one pound and six 
shillings.' For several days the hysteric cordial was used 
freely and several pounds were charged for the same. In 
about ten days the remedy was changed and four doses of 
' my Polycrestis,' were administered at an expense of one 
pound. The Doctor also charged his friend for ' my Pills 
Royal,' and ' my Polycrestis,' and ' the Elixir Vitse of mine,' 
enough to show that he held them in high estimation. For 
bleeding the arm the charge was only one shilling, for bleed- 
ing the foot, two shillings, and for a blister to the shoulder, 
nine shillings. The whole amount of the Doctor's bill was 
fifty-nine pounds and two shillings, and to recover the sum, 
an action was brought into Court. In this action, states the 
Record, the jury find for the plaintiff, ' ye defendant to pay 
62 pounds, 18 shillings, and 6 pence, and the cost of the 
Court. The Court accepts the jury's verdict and gives judg- 
ment accordingly. Bill of cost allowed 1 pound, 3 shillings, 
10 pence. The defendant appeals to the Court of Assistants, 
at Hartford, in May next, and the defendant and Colonel 
Mather Sherwood acknowledge themselves bound to the 
County in a recognizance of 70 pounds cash, that defendant 



172 APPENDIX F. 

shall prosecute his appeal to effect and answer to all damages 
if he may not make his plea good.' 

"Mr. Lyon, to strengthen his case, sought the opinion of 
Dr. John Fisk and several Boston physicians, who gave it as 
their opinion, that he had been extravagantly over-charged. 
It is possible that the knowledge of this fact is what led Dr. 
Laborie to compromise with his debtor, as the following 
document indicates. To the Honorable Court of Assistants, 
now sitting at New Haven : For-as-much as we have agreed 
upon the case before your Court, we pray you would please 
not to call the action to a bearing. 

Your most obedient servants, 

James Laborie, 
Lewis Lyon. 

October, 1708. 

"Dr. Laborie died about the year 1730. He bestowed upon 
his son James, ' all my instruments of Chirurgery, and my 
French writings.' Concerning James Laborie, Jr., but little 
is known. It is probable that he received a license from the 
General Court about the beginning of the last Century, for 
his application states that he had been in practice for many 
years, under the direction of his father, whom he refers to as 
a man of wide reputation and acknowledged ability. He 
seems to have sustained the reputation of his teacher, and to 
have become well known in the Colony for his personal attri- 
butes, as well as for professional skill." 



APPENDIX G. 173 

APPENDIX G. 



Statement by Rev. Nathaniel E. Cornwall, Written in the 
Parish Record, September 5th, 1851. 

The most important facts in the history of this parish, 
from A. D. 1704, to a. d. 1725, are sufficiently set forth in an 
historical discourse, delivered by Rev. N. E. Cornwall, at the 
celebration of the third Jubilee of the Society for the Propa- 
gation of the Gospel, on the 8th Sunday after Trinity, 
August 10th, 1851, and published at the request of the 
wardens and vestrymen of the parish. There are other 
sketches of the same period, drawn from less authentic 
sources of information, in the first volume of the Church- 
man's Magazine, ( old series,) and in other periodicals of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church, and various historical discourses 
concerning other old parishes. 

The most needful addition to such annals of this parish, is 
to be found in a list of names attached to a certain petition 
or memorial, which was addressed to the Colonial Legislature 
of Connecticut, in the year 1738, by most of the Episcopalians 
of mature age, then residing within the Colony. These names 
are given below. The originals are preserved, with the 
memorial, in the archives of the State, at Hartford, in the 
tenth volume of matters "Ecclesiastical." The records of 
Trinity parish having been destroyed, as is supposed, in the 
conflagation of Fairfield, 1779, such a list of persons, calling 
themselves Episcopalians, in 1738, affords the best basis that 
can be found for a satisfactory estimate of the state and 
progress of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this vicinity 
at that interesting period in the history of Connecticut. 
Most of the names are still common in this Township. But 
some of them have been for many years quite unknown here. 
And a few of those which are still common in these parts have 
been long wanting in the list of members of this parish. 



174 



APPENDIX G. 



Without data, however, for a comparison of this list with 
others, usually found in parish registers, no sure inferences 
can be drawn from such facts. 



David Adams, 
Nathaniel Adams, 
Nathan Adams, 
Nathan Adams, Jr., 
Stephen Adams, 
Joseph Barlow, 
George Barlow, 
Samuel Barlow, 
Samuel Barlow, Jr., 
John Bell, 
Joseph Beers, 
Joseph Beers, Jr., 
David Beers, 
David Bostwick, 
David Bostwick, Jr., 
Richard Caner, 
Peter Coley, 
Jonathan Cutler, 
Samuel Davis, 
Moses Downing, 
Charles Duncomb, 
Josiah Gilbert, 
Alexander Green, 
Luke Guire, 
Ebenezer Guire, 
Ebenezer Hale, 
Samuel Hill, 
William Hill, 
Matthew House, 
Ebenezer Hubbell, 
David A. James, 
Nathan Jennings, 



Robert Lord, 
Benjamin Lines, 
Hester Lines, 
Robert Lord, 
Cula C. Lyon, 
Samuel Lyon, 
Ebenezer Lyon, 
Ebenezer Lyon, Jr., 
Samuel Lyon, 
Joseph Lockwood, 
Sarah MacKenzie, 
John Mather, 
George McEwen, 
Nathan Meeker, 
Ephriam Nichols, 
Ignatius Nicoll, 
John Nicela, 
William Osborn, 
John Pound, 
Abraham Puling, 
John Smith, 
George Stewart, 
David Sturges, 
Benjamin Sturges, Jr., 
Jonathan Sturges, Jr., 
Elnathan Sturges, 
Samuel Squire, 
William Taylor, 
Daniel Thompson, 
Benjamin Turney, 
Thomas Turney, 
Zabulon Waklorn, 



APPENDIX G. 175 

Joshua Jennings, Moses Ward, 

John Jennings, Samuel Ward, 

Samuel Jennings, Nathaniel Whitehead, 

John Knapp, Abigail Whitlock, 

Daniel Knapp, Abraham Whitlock, 

James Livesay, John Whitlock, 

Richard Livesay, John Whitear, 

Elnathan Lloyd, Buckland Williams. 

In connection with the above names it is also to be re- 
membered that Trinity parish at that time, embraced Strat- 
field, ( now Bridgeport ), North Fairfield, ( now Weston. ) 
And it is worthy of notice as not a little remarkable, that 
among the names herewith recorded, are not found those of 
Burr, Bulkley, Perry, Sherwood, and Bradley, now so common, 
not only in this Township, but also among Episcopalians in 
these parts. This fact would justify a supposition that after 
that time, as before, there was a tendency on the part of many 
Congregationalists of this Township towards the Episcopal 
Church. And it seems quite certain from various circum- 
stances, that there has been always here a very favorable state 
of feeling in the community at large towards Episcopacy. Some 
local and temporary disadvantages have sometimes hindered 
the progress of this parish, but upon the whole, it may be 
safely said to have advanced much more rapidly than the 
population of the Township. 



176 APPENDIX H. 

APPENDIX H. 



Sketch of the Church at Fairfield Written by the Rev. 
Philo Shelton, 1804. 

On the 26th day of August, 1722, the Rev. Mr. Picket, from 
Stratford, came to Fairfield, and preached at the house of 
Mr. Thomas Hanford, to about six families. This was the 
first time that Divine service was performed in the Town, 
agreeable to the rites and usages of the Church of England. 
After this, the people met and read prayers among themselves, 
and the Rev. Mr. Johnson, from Stratford, occasionally, 
preached for them. On the 22nd of June, 1725, a Church 
was raised at Fairfield, about one and a half miles west, from 
the meeting-house, and on the lOth of November following, it 
being a public Thanksgiving Da^^ the Rev. Dr. Johnson 
opened the new Church with a sermon suitable to the 
occasion. 

Some where about this time, there was a law, obliging 
people of all denominations, to be taxed for the support of the 
Presbyterian worship ; this, the Episcopalians looked upon as 
a great grievance, and some had the resolution to refuse pay- 
ing this tax, and were committed to gaol. Of this number 
were Mr. Ward, of Fairfield, and Messrs. Glover and Hard, of 
Newtown. Upon this, a memorial was presented to the 
General Assembly, signed by the Church Wardens of Fair- 
field, praying to be excused from supporting a worship in 
which they did not believe, nor join. Their prayer was heard, 
and the taxes of the Episcopalians were allowed in future, to 
be applied to the support of their own profession, obliging 
them to be taxed in the same proportion by the Presbyterian's 
committee, the tax to be collected by their collector, and then 
paid over to the Church Clergyman, or to the wardens, which 
law continued in existence until the American Independence. 



APPENDIX H. 177 

The Church people at Fairfield increasing some, they were 
very desirous to have a Clergyman settled among them. 
They purchased a lot of land, about half an acre, with a house 
for his accommodation, and sent the deed by the hands of a 
certain Mr. Henrj' Caner, to the Society in England, praying 
that he might be clothed with Priests' Orders, and settled 
over them. Their petition was heard, and the Rev. Mr. Caner 
returned to Fairfield in October, 1727, with a salary of fifty 
pounds sterling per annum, and the people were very happy 
in his administrations, and the Church flourished under his 
ministry. The principal people who composed the Church 
were Messrs. Ward, Adams, Wilson, Hauford, Jennings, Lyon, 
Barlow, Beers, Sturges, and others. The Church that was 
first built was small, not sufficient now to contain the mem- 
bers. On the 9th of August, 1738, they raised another, of 
fifty-four feet by thirty-six, with a steeple, and with charitable 
donations from New York and from the Society in England, 
the Church was finished very decently with a bell. 

The Rev. Mr. Caner continued at Fairfield, as their minister, 
until the year 1744. He was then, by the Missionary Society, 
removed to Boston, to the great grief of the EpiscojDalians of 
Fairfield, he being a man of eminent talents, a great preacher, 
and an able defender of the doctrines of the Church, and a 
very agreeable, engaging companion and neighbor. While he 
was at Fairfield, the Church flourished, her numbers increased, 
and all appeared to be happy. He was born in England, 
came to America in his youth, was educated at Yale College, 
studied divinity under Doctor Johnson, married a Miss 
McKensey, daughter of Mr. McKensey. 

He continued a preacher in the Church at Boston until the 
war broke out between Great Britain and America. When 
the British troops came there he left town and returned to 
England, and lived to be a very aged man, and finally died in 
peace and was gathered to his Fathers, the Lord having 
prospered him in his work of the miuistery, by which many 



178 APPENDIX H. 

souls were converted from the error of tbeir ways, established 
in the faith and rest in hope. 

In the year 1745, the Rev. Mr. Joseph Lamson was 
ordained to the ministry, and placed by the Society in the 
Church at Fairfield, vacated by the Rev. Mr. Caner, with a 
salary equal to his predecessor. The members of the Church 
having increased considerably', those who resided in the 
Parish of Stratfield, thought it too far to attend at Fairfield, 
exerted themselves, and in the year 1748, raised a Church in 
the parish, and the next year it was opened and dedicated by 
the Rev. Dr. Johnson. The principal proprietors in building 
this Church were Col. John Burr, Messrs. John Holbertson, 
Timothy Wheeler, Joseph Seely, John Nichols, Richard Hall, 
Samuel Beardslee, and others. This Col. Burr was a man of 
singular abilities, of large property, and a warm advocate for 
the Church, having received his education in the Presbyterian 
profession, but when he arrived at mature years, he changed 
his profession. About this time Whitfield, Tennant, and 
other zealous preachers, came to this country, fired the people 
with enthusiasm and an overheated zeal for religion, which 
the Colonel looked upon as inconsistent with the true Spirit 
of the Gospel, which teaches order and good government to 
her children. He turned his attention to the study of the 
Gospel, and embraced the Church of England, as being most 
agreeable to the rules of our Blessed Lord and His Apostles. 
He spent the remainder of his days in the Church, and died 
in a good old age. 

By this time the Church people in the parishes of North Fair- 
field, and Norfield having increased considerably, and being at 
the distance of eight or ten miles from the Fairfield Church, they 
thought it better to build a Church to accommodate those two 
Societies. They accordingly, in the year 1762, erected a 
frame and closed it, but soon after, the Rev. Mr. Lamson, 
being in a poor state of health, unable to officiate much in the 
out parishes, the Church was not finished before the American 



APPENDIX H. 179 

war commenced, which seemed to stagnate all business. In 
the year 1773, Mr. Lamson sickened and died. He was born 
at Stratford, educated at Yale College, conformed to the 
Church of England in the time of the Whitfieldian stir. He 
supported an honorable character, was much informed and 
esteemed as a physician, as well as a Divine. He left at his 
death, a widow and five children, three daughters and two 
sons. In the time of his ministry, the liberal Mr. Talbot, of 
New York, made a visit to Fairfield, and left as a benefit for 
the Church, a very handsome present, to the amount of at 
least, one hundred pounds, L. M. With some of this money, 
the trustees of the Church purchased a piece of land, at a 
place called Round Hill, about nine acres. One hundred 
•dollars was put out to use in the hands of Mr. Jonathan 
Coley, which since has been collected and applied to the 
building of the new Church, and another hundred dollars was 
put to use in the hands of Peter Dibble, who, in the trouble- 
some American war, went to Nova Scotia, forfeited his estate 
and the Church lost the debt. Mr. Talbot also furnished the 
Communion Table with a set of plate, which in the time of the 
burning of the town by the British, was either consumed or 
plundered ; the latter, I think is most probable. 

In the year 1774, the Rev. Mr. John Sayre, from Fredericks- 
burgh, was invited by the parish to take charge of the 
Churches. He wrote to the Society, acquainted them of the 
death of their missionary, Mr. Lamson, and informed them of 
the invitation of the people, and should wait their approba- 
tion of acceptance. 

The Society appointed him, agreeable to the request of the 
people, and fixed his salary at twenty-five pounds sterling per 
annum. Mr. Sayre was a man of superior abilities, and a 
great preacher. He was rather inclining to the Calvinistic 
principles, but a high Tory. Soon after he settled at Fair- 
field, the Colonies revolted from Great Britain, which j)ro- 
duced a bloody war, and in the contest, in the year 1779, a 



180 APPENDIX H. 

party of the King's troops, under the command of Governor 
Tryon, came to Fairfield, took possession of the town, 
plundered it and then burnt it, without any distinction to 
friend or foe. In the general conflagration the Church was 
consumed, and the parsonage house, together with the 
library, which contained some hundreds of volumes. The 
Church Kecords shared the same fate. This was a most 
fatal blow to the Episcopal Society of Fairfield, losing the 
Church, the parsonage, the library, the plate, and at this time 
Mr. Sayre, with his family, left the town and never returned 
again, together with a number of the principal inhabitants. 

The remainder thought it not best to hang their harps upon 
the willows, aod give up the Church for lost, but relying on 
the promises of God, that the Church should never be 
extinct, they called a meeting of the several Churches, viz., 
Fairfield, Stratfield, and North Fairfield, to take into con- 
sideration what was best to be done. They were unani- 
mously of opinion that it was their duty to keep the Church 
together and have Divine Service performed among them 
until they could be supplied with a clergyman. They 
appointed a committee to look out for some candidate to 
read prayers for them, and uj)on inquiry, they heard of Mr. 
Philo Shelton, of Riptou, to whom they applied, and he 
engaged to open Church for them until they should be other- 
wise supplied. He continued their reader until Bishop 
Seabury returned from Europe, clothed with Episcopa 
authority to ordain and govern the Church, and in August, 
1785, Mr. Shelton was admitted to the Order of Deacons, in 
Christ Church, Middletown, by the Right Rev. Bishop Seabury, 
and to Priest's Orders, in Trinity Church, New Haven, in 
September following, by the same prelate, and settled over 
the Churches of Fairfield, Stratfield, and Weston, with a 
living salary of one hundred pounds, L. M. per annum, with 
the use of what lands belong to said Church. 



n 



APPENDIX H. 181 

lu the year 1790, the Episcopalians thought it best to exert 
their abilities and see if they could not get them another 
house. They went to work and in time raised a frame of 
fifty-six feet by thirty-four, with a steeple, and by September 
following, they closed it so we were able to meet in it. The 
Church stands about one mile west from where the last stood, 
at a place called Mill Plain. 

There is, belonging to this Church, a piece of land laying 
at Round Hill, about two miles from the State line, also the 
half acre where the parsonage house formerly stood, both of 
which pieces are in possession of the present incumbent. 
There is no other property belonging to either of the three 
Churches. 

The Church at Stratfield was not finished until the year 
1789, and then it was consecrated by the Right Rev. Dr. 
Seabury. The one at Fairfield was consecrated by the Right 
Rev. Dr. Jarvis, the 18th of October, 1798. The number of 
families belonging to the three Churches is about 200. Com- 
municants one hundred and fifty, (only one of color). All 
those of proper age have been confirmed. There has been 
baptized by the Rev. Mr. Shelton since August, 1785, until 
February, 1799, eight hundred souls, twenty-five of which 
were adults. 

The Borough of Stratfield populating much faster than the 
other parts of the parish, the greatest number of Episcopalians 
living in that part of the Society, it was thought best by many that 
the Church should be placed there. A meeting was called to 
take the minds of the members, and it was thought advisable 
to pull the old Church down and build a new one out of the 
materials, as far as they would go. The vote was taken, and 
almost unanimously, so to do, and in March 1801, the Church 
was razed to the ground, and on the 2nd of July following, 
another frame erected in the Borough of Bridgeport, fifty- 
eight feet by thirty-eight, closed, glazed, and floored, so as to 



182 



APPENDIX H. 



meet in it on the 29th of November following. While the 
Church was in building, they met sometimes in the school 
house, and sometimes in the meeting-house, where they were 
invited by the Presbyterians. 

[ Here the Sketch of the Church, written by the Kev. Philo 
Shelton comes to a close.] 



APPENDIX I. 183 

APPENDIX I. 



Paeochiales Notitiae, Being a Private Register Kept by 
THE Rev. Philo Shelton, of Those Christians, Bap- 
tized, Confirmed, Admitted to the Commu- 
nion, Married, and Buried by Him 
While Rector of Trinity 
Church, Fairfield, 
1785-1825. 

(The original is iu the possession of Mr. Hamilton Shelton, 
of Bridgeport. It contains the record of 1,978 Baptisms ; 
454 Confirmations ; 268 Marriages ; 588 Communicants ; 838 
Burials, a total of 4,126.) 

BAPTIZED. 
1785. 

August 14th, Elizabeth, daughter to Dr. Thos. Quinlan ; 
Elijah, son to Isaac Edwards ; Clarissa, daughter to Ruel 
Gray. 

August 21st, Sarah, daughter to Ebenezer Mills ; Lewis, son 
to David Nichols. 

September 2nd, Peter, son to Benjamin Sherwood. 

September 4th, Wakeman, son to John Burr ; John, son to 
Jesse Dickerson ; Daniel, son to Seth Bulkley. 

September 11th, Anna, daughter to Calvin Whelar ; Hannah, 
daughter to Joseph Treadwell ; Jonathan, son to Seth 
Gilbert ; Pallinah, daughter to Thadeus Gilbert ; Charles, son 
to Thomas Green ; Nathan Piatt, son to Nathan Bennet ; 
Sarah, daughter to Thomas Squire ; Joseph, son to John 
Glover. 

September 22nd, Timothy, son to Timothy Shaler ; Susan- 
nah, daughter to James Allin. 



184 



APPENDIX 1, 



October 2nd, Sarah, daughter to Mary Morehouse ; Dru- 
siltah, daughter to John Nichols; Jesse Morehouse, son to 
Peter Stocker ; Squire, son to Ezekiel Oj^sterbanks ; Nabbj', 
daughter to Ezekiel Bennet. 

October 23rd, John, son to Euben Gilbert. 

November 6th, Ichabod Woolcott, son to Woolcott Chancy ; 
John "Whitier, son to Ezra Whelar. 

November 13th, Charlotte, Daughter to Jarvis Piatt : Phineas, 
son to John Squire. 

November 18th, Esther, daughter to David Sherwood. 

November 20th, Eunice, daughter to Thomas Elwood ; 
Elizabeth, daughter to Mr. Bulkley ; Rebeckah, daughter to 
Benjamin Sturges; Lucretia, daughter to John Eedfield ; 
Darias, an adult servant to Hezekiah Sturges; Jube, son to 
Darias. 

December 4th, Joseph, son to William Prince ; Sarah, 
daughter to Nathaniel Hubble. 

December 21st, Elizabeth, daughter to Samuel Edwards ; 
Lucy, daughter to Isaac Hinman ; Josiah, sou to Seth Bulkley. 

1786. 

January 1st, Prince, servant to Jonathan Bulkley, adult : 
Charles, servant to Capt Wakeman, adult. 

January 15th, John, son to Elijah WilUams. 

January 29th, Mary, daughter to Michael Sealy ; Huldah, 
daughter to James Dascomb. 

February 15th, Abby, daughter to Jonathan Cole ; John, 
son to Horlbert Lockwood ; Lewis Wakeman, son Dyekman. 

Api'il 5th, Charles, son to Gershom Bulkley ; Francis, son 
to Abraham Bulkley ; Sarah, daughter to Ebenezer Osbourn ; 
John Burr, son to David Jennings ; Talcott, son to David 
Jennings ; Denna, son to Denna Chapman ; Tammy, daughter 
to Joseph Rockwell. 

April 13th, Levi, son to Daniel Evis. 

April 30th, Philo, son to Jonathan Kinner. 

May 2nd, Richard Walker, son to Samuel Booth. 



APPENDIX I. 



185 



June 4tli, Charity, daughter to Elijah Burr ; Hannah 
daughter to William Nichols. 

June 11th, Eunice, daughter to Isaac Piatt; Abraham, son 
to Ruel Thorp. 

June 14th, Silas, son to Thadeus Guyer. 

June loth, John Morris, son to William Heron. 

Juae 18th, Polly, daughter to Joshua Oysterbank ; Samuel 
Taylor, son to Aaron Giunings. 

June 30th, Joseph Brinsmade, son of James French. 

July 2nd, Lucy, daughter to John Lockwood ; Peter, son to 
Robert Sendder ; Able, son to Increase Burr ; Polly, daughter 
to Daniel Thorp : Edward, sou to Elias Sturges. 

July 10th, William, son to Jeremiah Duncan ; Daniel, son 
to ditto, twins. 

July 16th, Elijah, son to Zebulon Kirtland ; Hezekiah, son 
to Wilson Whelar ; Sally, daughter to John Porter. 

July 23rd, Isaac, son to James Sanford ; Huldah, daughter 
to Elijah Williams; Sally, daughter to Nathan Bennett; 
William, son to Ephriam Nichols : Isaac, son to Nathaniel 
Whithead; Anna, daughter to Nathaniel Nichols. 

July 24th, Betsey, daughter to Josiah Wakelee. 

August 13th, Abraham Lion, an adult person ; Nathiel 
Jervis, son to Thomas Gilbert ; Levi, son to Abraham Lyon ; 
Polly, daughter to Alexander Smith Piatt. 

August 23rd, Elezar, son to Silas Beardsley ; Philo, son to 
Silas Beardsley. 

September 3rd, Gilbert, son to Jonathan Coley, Jr. 

September 6 th, Joseph, David, Mabel, William, Siblle, Seth, 
and Esther, children of Dauiel W^helar. 

September 10th, Polly, daughter to George Patterson. 

September 24th, Elleanor, daughter to Peter Bulkley. 

October 1st, Lydea, daughter to Isaac Jarvis. 

October 8th, Betsey, daughter to Josiah Smith. 



186 APPENDIX I. 

October 22nd, Eunice, daughter to Thadeus Perry, of North- 
field ; James, son to John Robertson ; James Edward, son to 
Nathaniel Ginnings, Mill River. 

November 4th, Charity, daughter to Benajah Ross. 

November 12th, Jerusha, daughter to Benjamin Sherwood. 

November 14th, Ruth, daughter to Denton Sealy. 

December 3rd, Tamar, servant to Sarah Forgue, adult. 

December 31st, Pierce, son to Edmund Darrow ; Edmund, 
son to ditto ; Caty, daughter to WiUiam Peet. 

1787. 

February 13th, Elijah Nichols, Allelia, Silena, children of 
Jonathan Edwards ; PauUina, daughter to Michael Beardsley y 
Sarah, daughter to Zalmon Lyon ; two children for Perry, the 
shoemaker. 

February 20th, Anna, daughter to James Redfield, Jr. ; 
John, son to Dudley. 

March 4th, Charles Pulford, son to Deborah Lorin. 

March 5th, Augur, son to Elijah Hubbill ; Anna, daughter 
to ditto ; Rossel, son to Gideon Hubbell ; Hesper, daughter 
to Dimothy Chapman ; Dennis, son to Andrew Burns. 

March 11th, three children at Redding, Joseph, Andra, 
John Darling. 

March 13th, Deborah Burns, an adult ; Abijah, son to John 
Hubbill. 

April 1st, Piatt, son to Calvin Whelar, Jr.; Naomi, daughter 
to Baruck Taylor. 

April 4th, Duthen, son to Elnathan Benjamin ; Betty, 
daughter to Agur Wells. 

April 15th, Maria, daughter to Philo and Lucy Shelton ; 
Lucy, daughter to John and Huldah Burr ; Anna, daughter 
to Thomas Quinlan. 

May 15th, Lucy, daughter to Joseph French. 

May 20th, Abigail, daughter to Josiah Bulkley ; Sally, 
daughter to John Redfield; Huldah, daughter to Hannah 
Persons. 



APPENDIX I. 187 

May 27th, Murry, son to Pamy Blackleach ; Rebeckah, 
daughter to Hezekiah Beach ; Lydea, daughter to EliBeardsley . 

August 19th, Munson, son to Isaac Hinman ; Thomas, son 
to Isaac Edwards. 

September 16th, John Sprague, an adult. 

October 14th, William, son to Angel Trubee ; Samuel 
Comfort, sou to Gershom Bulkley. 

1788. 

March 16th, Nathaniel, son to Leamon Sherwood ; Irena, 
daughter to Ruel Grey. 

May 12th, Hezekiah Meeker, an adult; Whelar, a son to 
Hezekiah Meeker ; Alfi'ed, son to Ezra Winton ; John, son to 
James Vaughn. 

June 7th, David, son to David Lacey; Ruth, daughter to 
D. Lacey. 

June 10th, Theophiplas, son to Eli Nichols ; Charles, son to 
Walter Whitney. 

June 26 Zebulon Waklee; son to Zebulon Kirtland. 

July 3rd, Hull, son to James Redfield, Jr. ; James, son to 
Jesse Lyon. 

July 27th, Rachel, daughter of Elijah Raymond. 

August 24, Lydea, daughter to Jonathan Baker. 

September 7th, Sally, daughter of Seth Bulkley. 

October 12th, Munson, son to Elijah Burr; Anna, daughter 
to William Nichols; James, son to James Allen; Pheby, 
daughter to Charles Wing. 

October 14tb, Mary, daughter to Eben Thorp ; Isaac, son 
to Nathaniel Fairchild. 

November 7th, Mary, daughter to John Perry. 

1789. 

January 8th, Maria, daughter to William Peet. 

February 3rd, Anna, daughter to Jonathan Bradley. 

February 15th, Perseverance, a child of Aaron Gennings. 

April 29th, Olive, daughter to Zebulon Kirtland. 



188 APPENDIX I. 

May 3rd, Nancy, daughter to Joseph Bulkley ; Sarah, 
daughter to Jesse Lyon. 

May 10th, Anson, son to John Burr. 

May Slst, Thomas, son to Dr. Thomas Qainland ; Cloe, 
daughter to Lyman Meeker ; John Odel, son to Hezekiah 
Meeker ; Samuel Lynson, son to Samuel Edwards. 

August 4th, John, son to Joseph French. 

October 18th, Ann, daughter to Denton Sealy. 

October 25tb, Abel, son of Josiah Bulkley ; Esther, daughter 
to Abraham Bulkley. 

November 7th, John Porter, an adult person; James, son 
to John Porter ; Nathaniel, son to ditto. 

1790. 

February 3rd, Molly Baker, Oliver Koe, adult persons ; 
Mary, daughter to Ezra Whelar : Phillip, son to David Nichols, 
and two other children for the same, whose names I forgot; 
two sons for John Nichols, John and Eliphalet ; two children 
for Ephriam Nichols ; two for Master Riley ; one for David 
Baker. 

February 3rd, three for Levi Foot ; two for Robertson ; 

three for Epharas Wakeman ; one for Ezekiel Bennitt. 

March 7th, Sarah, daughter to Benjamin Sturges. 

April 11th, Ann, daughter to Philemon Sherwood ; Alden, 
son to Ezra Wiuton. 

April 30th, Antony, son to Jonathan Baker. 

May 9th, Philo Nichols, son to Philo and Lucy Shelton. 

May 12th, Abigail Burr, daughter to Daniel Meeker ; 
Gershora, son to Gershom Bulkley ; William, son to William 
Bulkley ; Nathaniel Knap, son to Nathaniel Jinnings ; Alpha 
Jackson, son to Nathaniel Jinnings. 

June 6th, Esther, son to Elias Sturges. 

June 9th, Francis Maria, daughter to Ransom Clark. 

20th, Herman, son to Limuel Bangs. 

27th, Amelia, daughter to Gould Nichols ; Samuel, son to 
Nathan Treadwell ; Abraham, son to Jonathan Skinner. 



APPENDIX I. 189 

July 1st, Richard, son to Joseph Blacldeach. 

July 7th, Peter, John, Chapman, and Sarah, children of Peter 
Smith ; Mabel and Daniel, children of Ebenezer Smith ; 
Benjamin, son to Meeker Murwin. 

July 22nd, Alfred, son to Increase Burr ; Charity, daughter 
to William Hurd, Southbury. 

August 8th, Eunice, wife to Banks Morehouse, adult ; 
Moses, son to Captain John Burr ; Betsey, daughter to ditto. 

August 22nd, Wilsana, daughter to Wilson Whelar ; Harriot, 
daughter to Isaac Hiuman ; Cyrena, daughter to William 
Nichols. 

August 29th, Stephen Bradley, son to Elijah Williams; 
Esther, daughter to Lyman Wakeman. 

September 5th, Joseph, son to Joseph Bears. 

September 12th, Anna Bulkely, daughter to Jabez Man, 
New Fairfield ; Timothy Whelar, son to Ruel Grey. 

September 19th, Mary, daughter to Thadeus Bradley ; 
Elijah, son to Jesse Nichols ; Nathan, son to Daniel Nichols ; 
Medad, son to Eli Wakeman ; Sarah, daughter to David 
Baker. 

October 29th, Elizabeth, daughter to Peter Whitney. 

October 31st, Samuel Whitney, son to Elmor Gilbert ; 
Abigail, daughter to Eliphilet Whelar ; Anson, son to 
Ebenezer Mills, Jr. 

November 11th, , wife to Seth Gilbert, Norfield ; 

Hannah, daughter to Daniel Duncan ; Mary, Othniel, children 
of David Morehouse. 

November 12th, Lewis, son to Seth Gilbert. 

November 14th, David Craft, an adult. 

November 21st, Persilla, daughter to Ezekiel Oysterbanks. 

December 5th, George, son to William Peet ; Lucia, daughter 
to David Barlow. 

1791. 

January 30th, Sarah Sprague, an adult ; Peter, son to 
Hannah Patching; Eunice, daughter to David Barlow; 



190 APPENDIX I. 

Betsey, daughter to the same; Hezekiah Sturges, son to 
Allen Nichols. 

February 13th, Weston, Sarah, daughter to Nathaniel Davis. 

February 27th, George, son to Josiah Smith ; Phebe, 
daughter to John Burr. 

April 7th, Adams Wakemau, son to Smith Piatt ; Sally 
Dimon, daughter to Moses Hull ; Elizabeth, daughter to 
Fanten Sherwood. 

January 30th, Peter, son to Captain Peter and Grace 
Whitney. 

April 24th, Rhenama, daughter to John Robertson ; Nabby, 
wife to William Robertson ; Nabby, daughter to William 
Robertson : Elizabeth, daughter to the same. 

May 8th, Daniel, son to Daniel Cable. 

May 15th, Esther Burr, daughter to Aaron Jinnings. 

May 22nd, Anna, daughter to Charles Wing. 

May 28th, Charles, son to Albert Lockwood ; Charity, 
daughter to Albert Lockwood ; Tabby, daughter to Seth 
Squire. 

May 29th, Charlotte, granddaughter to Abel Seeley. 

June 29th, Esther, daughter to Stephen Stephens ; Ransoler, 
son to Noah, a Negro. 

July 3rd, Wilson, son to John Porter. 

July 10th, Isaac Morehouse, son to Ezekiel Sturges; Jane, 
daughter to Banks Morehouse : Elehu, son to Baruk Taylor ; 
Lettice Lewis, daughter to Samuel Goodsel. 

August 21st, Timothy Hubbel, son to John Cardwell ; 
Ebenezer, sou to John Lord. 

August 25th, Samuel, John, sons to Thomas L. Colyer ; 
Hannah, Lydea, children of Ruben Gilbert ; Abigail, daughter 
to Ebenezer Davis ; Johathan, sou to Robert Mills ; daughter 
to Jonathan Robertson. 

August 28th, Nathaniel Burr, son to John Perry ; David 
Bears, Joseph, sons to Joseph Perry, twins. 

September 18th, Lucretia, daughter to Josiah Bulkley. 



APPENDIX I. 191 

October 2nd, William, son to Calvin Whelar; Robert Corn- 
wall, son of John Jackson, Jr. 

October 9th, Elizabeth, daughter to Joseph Beers. 

October 22nd, James Grey, an adult ; Hannah daughter to 
James Grey ; Nathaniel, son to Thadeus Perry ; Mary, 
daughter to Jared Duncan ; Hannah, daughter to Joseph 
Morgan. 

October 30th, Jesse and Jonathan, sons to Edmund Barlow. 

November 1st, Sarah and Elizabeth, daughters to David 
Morehouse, twins. 

November 6th, Charles, son to Philemon and Hepya Sher- 
wood. 

November 13th, Henry, son to Abraham Lyon ; Jesse, 
son to Bennett. 

November 20th, Joseph Hill, an adult ; Rachel, Hulda, 
Polly and Nathan, children of Joseph Hill. 

November 27th, Elizabeth, daughter to Zebulon Kirtland ; 
Polly, daughter to Patrick Keelar. 

1792. 

January 6th, Charity and Rhodah, daughters of Peter 
Nichols ; Nathan Gilbert, son to Levi Foot ; Hellenah, daughter 
to Joseph Burr ; 

February 12th, Jerusha, daughter to Elnathan Smith. 

March 17th, Sarah, wife to Ebeuezer Munroe, adult; 
Benjamin, son to ditto ; Silas, son to Benira Munroe ; 
Thomas and Sarah, children to Joseph Tredwell ; Lois, 
daughter to Jonathan Cole ; Hanford, son to Moses Wakeman. 

March 17th, Sarah, daughter to Gob Nichols ; Silas, son to 
Ebenezer Davis ; Elen Bixby, son to Jonathan Morehouse. 

March 18th, Peleg and Dennis, children to John Lockwood ; 
Jesse, son to Increase Burr ; Burritt, son to Alben Bradley. 

March 25th, Cherlottee, daughter to Abraham Bulkley. 

March 30th, Charity, daughter of Widow Taylor ; Ruth 
•ditto of John Dimon ; Aaron, son to Hezekiah Meeker ; 



192 APPENDIX I. 

Andrew Taylor, son to Lyman Meeker ; Polly, daughter to 
John Dimon. 

April 1st, Betsey, daughter to William Nichols; Levi, son 
to Silas Beard sley. 

April 6th, Lois, John and Mary, children of Samuel Darling ; 
Ebenezer Lyon, son to William Piatt : Zalmon, son to Isaac 
Edwards : Polly, Hannah and Philo, children of Daniel Lyon ; 
Hellenah, daughter to Aaron Bulkley ; Anna, daughter to 
Ezra Lyon ; Asa and Sally, children of Isaac Lyon. 

April 7th, Sarah, Ebenezer, Rachel, and Rena, children of 
John Murwin : John, son to Ezekiel Lj'on : Sarah Lyon, an 
adult. 

April 8th, Sally Bates, adult ; Clary, daughter to Moses 
Wakeman : Ruth Youngs, daughter to Ezra Whelar ; Stephen, 
son to Daniel Whelar, Jr. 

April 15th, Grummond Morehouse, sou to Joshua Jennings, 
Jr. 

May 20th, Charity, daughter to Jonathan Bradley. 

June 17th, Sarah, daughter to George Hayt : Elizabeth, 
daughter to Samuel Penfield ; Dinah, servant to Hannah 
Bulkley. 

July 1st. James, son to Elisha Brown. 

July 15th, Henrietta, daughter to Philo and Lucy Shelton. 

July 16th, Polly, daughter to William Bulkley ; Abigail, 
daughter to Joseph Hanford ; Clarissa, daughter to ditto ; 
William, son to John Hanford ; Rebecka, daughter to ditto ; 
Lewis, son to ditto. 

July 27th, Samuel, son to David Craft. 

August 26th, William, son to Stiles Peet ; Ransom, son to 
Nathaniel Jiuuiugs; Stephen, son to John Robertson, Jr. 

September 10th, Elijah, son to John Whitehead. 

September 22nd, Anna, daughter to George Batterson ; 
Nathan son to ditto. 

September 23rd, Sally, daughter to David Thorp. 

October 7tb, Lucretia," daughter to John Burr. 



APPENDIX I. 193 

October 21st, William, son to William Robertson. 

October 28tb, Mary, daugbter to Stepben Burrougbs. 

November Itb, David, son to Jobn Burr ; Morris, son to 
Ebenezer Burr ; Bradley Hull, son to Epbriam Nicbols, born 
September Ttb, 1792. 

November lltb, Eben, son to Josepb Bulkley ; Hellen, 
daugbter to Seth Sturges, Jr. ; Lucy and Annice, servants of 
Jonatban Sturges, Esq. 

November 13tb, Stepben, son to Levi Foot ; Walter, son to 
Master Ryley. 

November 18tb, Ransom Bennett, son to Micbael Seely ; 
Nancy, daugbter to Eunice Dascomb. 

December 16tb, Easter, daugbter to Ezra Winton ; Sarab, 
Cbarity, Cbarles, Bradford and Josepb, cbildren of Josepb 
Winton. 

1793. 

January 27tb, Elyia, daugbter to Piatt Bennett ; Cbarlotte, 
daugbter to Ebenezer Bulkley. 

January 30tb, William and Jobn, sons of Patrick Keeler, 
twins. 

February lOtb, Lewis, son to Elijab Burr. 

February 16tb, Clarry, daugbter to Peter Bulkley; Nehemiah 
Curtiss, son to Stepben Sanford. 

February 17tb, Alfred, son to Amelia Wakeman. 

Marcb 2nd, Rossel, son to Gideon Wells ; LeGrand Cannon, 
son to L. Burr Sturges. 

Marcb lOtb, Sarab, daugbter to Timotby Hubbel, Jr. 

Marcb 29tb, Yina, daugbter to Samuel AVbelar. 

April 11, Robert, son to William Pike. 

April 15tb, Anna, daugbter to Robert Lynus. 

April 29tb, Robert and William AVbitney, cbildren of Elijab 
Sealy. 

May 1st, David, son to David Morebouse ; Anna, daugbter 
to Tbomas Squire. 

May 5tb, Eleazer, son to William Peet. 



194 APPENDIX I. 

May 12th, Ward, son to Jessey Nichols, Jr. ; Rheuamih, 
daughter to John Nichols. 

May 27th, George Finch, son to Zechariah Sherwood. 

June 16th, Lydea, daughter to John Porter. 

June 23rd, Baley Stilson, son to Jonathan Coley, Jr. ; 
Catherine, daughter to John Jackson, Jr. ; Nabby Wakeman, 
daughter to Nathan Tredwell; Eben Thorp, son to Nathan 
Tredwell ; Eii, son to John Whelar ; Ebenezer, son to Ebe- 
nezer Mills, Jr. ; Anna, daughter to Daniel Whelar, Jr. •, 
Jonathan Bradley, son to Jonathan Robertson; Daniel, son 
to David Nichols. 

June 26th, Jessey Young, an adult ; John Wilson, son to 
Daniel Young, Jr. 

July 2nd, Ezra, son of Annis, servant of S. Cannon. 

July 7th, Sally, daughter to Isaac Hinman. 

July 14th, Andrew Winton, son to Elmer Gilbert. 

August 4th, Munson, son to Banks Morehouse; Laurinda, 
daughter to Ezekiel Sturges. 

September 1st, Pamelia B., daughter to Ephriam Robins ; 
Samuel, son to Elnathan Smith. 

September 15th, Abby Burr, daughter to Eben Gould ; 
Permelia Burr, daughter to Eli Wakeman. 

October 6th, Ezra, son to Ezra Lyon. 

October 13th, Sarah, daughter to David Barlow, Fairfield. 

October 20th, William Edwards, son to William Nichols ; 
Abijah, son to Robert Dascomb, Jr. 

October 24th, Albert, son to Nathaniel Nichols ; Catherine, 
daughter to Augur Wells ; Maria, daughter to Isaac Nichols ; 
Frederick, son to Isaac Bateman. 

October 27th, Maretta, daughter to Alben Bradley ; Presilla, 
daughter to Joseph Burr ; David Lyon, son to Robert Mills. 

November 10th, Lewis, son to Elnathan Hoyt. 

November 24th, Esther Mary, daughter to Samuel Cannon. 

December 8th, Benjamin, son to James Wakeman. 

December 17th, Betsey, daughter to Sarah Clarke. 



APPENDIX I. 195 

1794. 

January 31st, Hall, son to Agur Sealey ; Catherine, daughter 
to Taylor. 

February 9th, Andrew Winton, son to Jacob Grey. 

February 26th, Stephen, sou to Stephen Burrough, Jr. ; 
Esther Meeker, an adult. 

March 23rd, Lydea, daughter to Increase Burr ; Abigail, 
daughter to Alex Smith Piatt. 

April 2nd, Hezekiah, son to John Hubble ; Gideon, son to 
Elisha Hubble ; Lucy, daughter to Lewis Nichols ; Charlotte, 
daughter to Antony Labory, and one more which name I 
have forgotten. 

April 9th, Betsey, daughter to Selah Shelton ; Lucius, son 
William Bray ; Prosper, son to Ephriam Lewis ; Nehemiah 
Lorin, son to Perry ; Benjamin, son to ditto. 

April 15th, David, son to David Jinnings ; Henry, son to 
Samuel Nash ; Morehouse, son to Joshua Jinnings ; Sally, 
daughter, and Simeon, son to James Redfield. 

May Itb, Huldah, daughter to Ezra Whelar ; Jervis, son to 
Ezra Winton ; Lewis Benedict, son to James Gray ; Jessey, 
son to David Burr. 

June 2nd, Anna, daughter to David Morehouse. 

June 15th, Presilla, daughter to Gould Nichols ; Ebenezer 
Nichols, son to Joseph Tredwell ; Betsey, daughter to Eben 
Davis ; Hannah, daughter to Robert Downs ; Anna, daughter 
to David Thorp. 

July 6th, Esther daughter to John Lord ; Mable, daughter 
to Thomas Squire ; Polly, ditto to Job Lockwood. 

July 13th, Polly, daughter to Jonah Bulkley. 

July 27th, Sally Jackson, an adult. 

August 17th, Sarah Wakeman, Adult : Jabez Jinnings, son 
to Stephen Wakeman. 

September 14th, David, son to Thaddeus Perry : Maria, 
daughter to Benjamin Sturges; David, sou to William 
Robertson ; John Gould, son to Seth Sturges. 



196 APPENDIX I. 

September 28th, Betsey, daughter to Thaddeus Gilbert ; 
Judson, son to Joseph Wintou. 

October 15th, Mathea, daughter to William Bulkley. 

October 18th, Rhoda Gilbert, daughter to Jonathan Robert- 
son. 

October 19th, Betsey, daughter to Samuel Gilbert ; Alma, 
daughter to Thomas Lyon. 

October 29th, Silas, son to Peter Morehouse ; Amos, son to 
Silas Beardsley. 

November 16th, Bradford, son to David Craft. 

November 20th, Abigail and Sarah, daughters to Jer. 
Lobden. 

November 21st, William Burr, Lewise Nichols, and Harriot, 
children of Capt. Thomas Nash ; Burr, Mary Burr, George, 
children to Thomas Nash, Jr. 

November 22nd, Philip Andrew, son to Jonathan Samuel 
Cannon. 

November 30th, Tildah, daughter to Ezra Oysterbanks. 

December 30fch, Abigail Hetta, daughter to Dr. John 
Lester. 

1795. 

January 4th, George, son to Zebulon Kertland. 

February 8th, Annice, daughter to Prince Bulkly. 

March 1st, Harriot, daughter to Moses Beers ; Jonathan 
White, son to Gertham Beers. 

March 21st, Anne, daughter to Joseph Booth. 

March 29th, David, son to Denton Sealey. 

March 30th, LeGrand Cannon, son to Lew^is B. Sturges. 

April 1th, Zalmon, son to Gould Lord ; Hannah, daughter 
to the same ; Mable Lockwood, daughter to Seth Squire. 

April 12th, Mary, daughter to Selah Shelton ; Anna, 
daughter to Enoch Coger. 

April 14th, Rebecca, daughter to John Burr. 

April 19th, Henry, son to Rev. Philo and Lucy Shelton ; 
Naoma, daughter to John Hall. 



i 



APPENDIX I. 197 

April 21st, Roxah, daughter to Agur Sealey ; Andrew 
Lynsen, son to Robert Nichols. 

April 23rd, William Henry, son to Daniel Youngs. 

April 26th, Eleanor, daughter to Eben Beers ; Sarah, 
daughter to Ezekiel Bennett ; Philo, son to Joseph Bradley. 

April 29th, Christopher Newton, son to Agur Shelton. 

May 10th, Anne Maria, daughter to James Allen. 

May 17th, Eunice, daughter to Isaac Lyon; Lucinda, 
daughter to Piatt Bennett. 

June 7th, Cherlotte, daughter to John Nichols ; Charity, 
ditto to Justise Raimond. 

June 21st, Clarissa Allen, daughter to Lyman Meeker. 

June 28th, Bradley, son to John Burr ; Lyman Banks, 
son to Lyman Whitney. 

July 5th, Hellen Thorp, daughter to John Robertson. 

July 19th, Jonathan Kenor, an adult: Susannah, daughter 
to Daniel Cole. 

August 9th, Hannah, wife to Eben Lockwood, adult ; Ann, 
daughter to the above ; Hanford, son to Jonathan Kenor ; 
Anne, daughter to Levi Foot. 

August 16th, Judson, son to Allen Nichols. 

August 23rd, Joseph, son to Eben Allen. 

August 30th, John Banks, son to Banks Morehouse ; Daniel, 
son to Elisha Brown ; Clarissa, daughter to James Grey ; 

Jabez Grey, son to Hubble; Stephen, son to John 

Porter. 

September 20th, Eli, son to Daniel Whelar ; Hellen, daughter 
to Stephen Whelar ; Daniel, son to John Jackson. 

September 25th, Lucy, daughter to Philemon Sherwood. 

October 18th, Betsey, daughter to David Barlow ; Huldah, 

daughter to Godfrey ; Betsey, daughter to Elnathan 

Smith. 

November 1st, Martin, sou to Stephen Lyon ; Abby, 
daughter to Solomon Oysterbanks ; Edward Jack, son to 
Simon, Negro. 



198 APPENDIX I. 

December 6th, Minerva, daughter to William Peet. 

December 12th, Morehouse, son to Jonathan Cole ; Hellen, 
daughter to John Lockwood : John, son to Eliphalet Dike- 
man ; Daniel, son to Hezekiah Dikeman ; Isaac, son to Job 
Lockwood ; Sally, daughter to Robert Downs. 

December 13tb, Minor, son to Robert Mills. 

December 16th, Presilla Burr, daughter to Elpn. Rob- 
bins ; Jabez Hubbel, son to Nathaniel Jinnings ; Frederic, 
son to Paul Sheffield ; Rowland, son to William Robertson. 

1796. 

January 23rd, Betsey, daughter to Lazarus Beach. 

Charles Granderson, son to Charles Wing. 

March 6th, Sarah, daughter to Stephen Sturges ; Bradley, 
son to Jonathan Goodsel. 

March 29th, David, son to Joseph N. French. 

April 16th, Laura, daughter to William Piatt ; Walter, son 
to Jabez Bennett ; Jarvis and Polly Elmira, Sam Darling 
children ; Burr, son to Eliphalet Bradley ; David and Sally 
Ann, John Underbill ; Woolsey, son to Jesse Nichols, Jr. ; 
Fauna, daughter to Andrew Hill, Esq. 

May 15th, David Hull, son to David Belden ; Orelia, daughter 
to Eli Mitchel ; Marietta, daughter to Elijah Burr. 

June 18th, Catherine, daughter to Jonathan Cole. 

June 19th Fanna, daughter to David Burr; Amelia, 
daughter to Samuel Sanford ; Obediah, son to Ezra Wheeler ; 
Daniel Hill, son to Jesse Nichols : David, son to Robert 
Keener. 

June 26th, Eunice, daughter to Aaron Jinnings. 

July 10th, Eunice Banks, daughter to Isaac Gilbert. 

July 14th, Bears, son to John B. Hall. 

July 15th, Polly Sherman, daughter to Sherman Barritt. 

17th, Sally, daughter to Gersham Beers ; Wakeman, son to 
Moses Beers ; Judson, son to Seth Sturges, Jr. ; Henry, son 
to William Pike. 

July 31st, Malinda Murrin, daughter to Hannah Mills. 



APPENDIX I. 199 

August 12tb, Eunice Wakeman, daughter to Burr Sturges ; 
Nichols, son to Eleazer Lacey. 

August 20th, Levi, son to EHphalet Beers. 

August 21st, Anna Wakeman, daughter to Robert Mills ; 
Thomas, an adult Negro. 

September 5tb, Polly Betty, daughter to Joseph Booth. 

September 25th, Almira daughter to Eben Booth. 

October 2nd, Maretta, daughter to Nathan Tredwell ; 
Amelia, daughter to Winton Thorp. 

October 24tb, Charles, son to David Thorp. 

October 30tb, Ezra Morehouse, son to Ezra Knap. 

November 13tb, Deborah, daughter to Increase Burr ; 
Marvin, son to Joseph Winton ; Matildah, daughter to Jacob 
Grey, Amelia, daughter to Eben Burr. 

December 9th, Solmon, son to Ephras Goodsell ; Esther 
Squire, an adult ; William, son to Isaac Hinman. 

1797. 

January 7th, Sophia Shelton, daughter to Samuel Edwards. 

January 15th, Eunice, daughter to Timothy Hubble. 

January 22nd, Ellihu, Hellen and Dimon, children of Eli 
Wakeman. 

January 27th, Eliza, daughter to Samuel Wheeler. 

February 12th, xllpheus and Ezra, children of Lebbeus 
Brown. 

March 5th, Ebenezer, son to Peter Jinnings ; Levi Jinnings, 
son to Ephriam Burroghs. 

March 10th, Hersey, son to Agur Seeley ; Philo, son to 
Philo Lyon ; Isaac Beach, son to P. Lyon. 

March 19th, Lydia Murwin, daughter to David Nichols. 

April 9tb, Mable, daughter to Lyman Whitney ; Hull, son 
to Adad Bradley. 

April 13th, Anna, daughter to Patrick Keeler. 

April 29th, Able Bradley ; four chidren of David 

Whitehead. 

May 12th, Lois Jinnings, daughter to Ozias Burr. 



200 APPENDIX I. 

May 21st, Hanford, son to Gould Nichols ; Allen, son to 
Elisha Brown. 

June 4tb, Edwin, son to David Barlow. 

June 9th, Henry, son to Stephen Burroughs. 

June 10th, Munson, son to Silas Beardslee. 

June 24th, Anna Maria, daughter to E. Wheeler Sherman ; 
John, son to Comfort Burritt. 

July 8th, Lucretia, daughter to Stephen Burrough. 

July 30th, Henry, son to Isaac Marquand. 

August 4th, Lydea, daughter to Daniel Lord ; Susannah, 
daughter to Daniel Young. 

August 15th, Samuel Daniel, son to Samuel F. Shelton ; 
Philo, son to Joseph N. French. 

August 20th, Sarah, daughter to Thaddeus Perry. 

August 21st, David Hall, son to Lemuel Bangs. 

August 27th, William Henry, son to William Peet. 

September 3rd, Sarah, daughter to John Sanford. 

September 17th, Edria, daughter to Ebenezer Allen ; Maria , 
daughter to James French. 

September 24th, Alfred, son to Raymond ; Jonathan, 

son to Jonathan Coley. 

October 15th, Alson, son to John Lord ; Arretta, daughter 
to Job Lockwood ; Ephriam, son to Eben Lockwood; Eliza- 
beth, daughter to Thomas Squire; son to Daniel 

Wheeler. 

October 16th, Alphonson, son to Seth Wakemau ; Seth Wake- 
man, an adult. 

December 3rd, Henrietta, daughter to AVilliam Bulkley ; 
George Bulkley, son to John Albert. 

December 7th, Charity, daughter to William Holbertson. 

December 16th, Anson, son to Jabez Bennett ; Walker, son 
to Isaac Lyon ; Eli, son to Lemuel Hawley ; William Lock- 
wood, son to Winton Thorp. 

December 24th, Benjamin, son to Samuel Osborn. 



APPENDIX I. 201 

1798. 

January 7th, Daniel Meeker, son to Alexander Russiea; 
Susannah, daughter to Nath Gilbert. 

January 23rd, Albert Edwards, son to Albert Sherwood ; 
Sarah Curtiss, daughter to Albert Sherwood : Polly, daughter 
to Isaac Edwards. 

February 1st, Marius, son to EInathan H. Bostwick. 

March 18th, James, son to John Hopkins. 

April 1st, Edwin, son to Calvin Wheeler, Jr. ; Philo, son to 
Samuel Sanford ; Abigail Wakeman, daughter to Lyman 
Bradley. 

April 6th, Caroline, daughter to Amos Burr ; Abby Maria, 
daughter to John Porter. 

April 20th, George, son to Eleazer Lacey. 

April 29th, Aurelia, daughter to David Wheeler ; Stephen, 
son to Joseph Shelton ; Beach, son to Joseph Downs ; Lucius, 
son to Isaac Downs; Russel, son to Benedict Labored; 
Louvissa, daughter to Samuel Beardslee. 

May 11th, Pascall, son to Paul Sheffield ; Julia, daughter, 
and Julius, son to William Pike, twins. 

May 12th, Molly, daughter to James Gray; Squire, son to 
Barney Lockwood ; Eri, sou to Jabez Grey; Harmona, 
daughter to J. Grey's wife ; Sillyman Adamas, son to Mary 
Bulkley. 

May 20th, Caroline, daughter to Gersham Bulkley ; David, 
son to William Nichols. 

May 31st, Polly, wife to Patt Wall, adult ; Sarah, Thomas, 
and William, children of Patt Wall. 

June 2nd, George, Son to Isaac Hinman. 

June 3rd, Albert, son to David Nichols, Jr. 

June 10th, Samuel son to Joseph Perry ; Susan, daughter 
to William Sherwood. 

June 7th, Samuel, Phillip, Gersham, Abijah, Sarah, and 
Lyman, children of Philip Bennett. 

July 8th, Walter, son to EInathan Smith. 



202 APPENDIX I. 

July 15th, Elizabeth Wakeman, daughter toHull Fanton. 

July 22nd, Sarah Hill, daughter to Burr Sturges ; Catherine, 
daughter to Richards Nichols. 

July 26th, Eliza, daughter to Stephen Burroughs. 

August 1st, Walter, son to Joseph Hanford : Philander, son 
to ditto. 

August 5th, Daniel, son to David Wheeler ; Bradley, son to 
Robert Downs. 

August 12th, Jesup Taylor, son to Aaron Jiunings ; Joseph, 
son to James Fairweather. 

August 26th, Zadock, son to Robert Kinner. 

September 2nd, Joel Burr, son of Abraham Bulkley. 
Baptized by Mr. Clark of Providence. 

Sept. 16th, Willys, son to John Nichols ; Timothy, son to 
Peter Nichols, Jr. 

September 20th, Mercy, daughter to Nathaniel Eels ; 
Charles, son to Isaac Booth ; David Burr, son to Jacob 
White. 

October 7th, Mable, Henry, and Aaron, children to Joseph 
Morgan : Levi and Beldou, sons to Levi Taylor ; Hezekiah 
Gould, son to John Lord. 

October 21st, William, son to Philo and Lucy Shelton. 

October 28th, Lydeann, daughter to Eben Bears, Newtown. 

November 9th, Minerva, daughter to Eben Booth : Anna 
Maria, ditto to David Booth ; James, son to David Myriet ; 
David Eli, son to James McKinsey. 

December 15th, Isaac, son to John Peet ; Louissa, daughter 
to John Robertson ; Charles Edwin, son to Ezra Godfrey ; 
LeGrand, son to Nathaniel Jinniugs; Juliann, daughter to 
James Bulkley ; Charles, son to Ephriam Bobbins. 

December 28th, Rebecca, daughter to Samuel I. Beardslee. 

1799. 

January 9th, Andrew GrifiSn, sou to Turrill ; Rebecca 

Maria, daughter to Beardslee ; Thomas Mann, son to Sarah 
Beardslee ; these three were Baptized at Newtown. 



APPENDIX I. 203 

February 10th, Walter, son to Joseph Tredwell. 

March 10th, Eunice and Sally, twins of Daniel Youngs, Jr. 

March 17th, Juliet, daughter to Sue, Negro. 

March 23rd, Fanny, daughter to Piatt Bennet ; Polly and 
Anna, children of Patchen. 

March 24th, Wakemau, son to David Burr. 

April 14th, William, son to Nehemiah Bradley. 

April 25th, Philo, son to Oziar Burr, Jr. 

April 28th, David, son to David Morehouse. 

May 12th, George, son to Ezra Knap. 

May 26th, Charlotte Hull, daughter to William Wilson ; 
Sarah Bennet,. daughter to John Robertson ; Cinthea, 
Allathea, daughter to Sarah Wheeler ; William Hill, son to 
Jesse Nichols. 

July 1st, LeGrand, son to Silas Bardslee ; William Sanford, 
son to W^illiain Nichols ; James, son to Peninah Seeley. 

July 7th, Mary, daughter to Barney Lockwood; Maretta, 
daughter to Samuel Brown. 

July 14th, Frederick, son to Isaac Marquand. 

August 4th, Anna Burr, daughter to Morris Beers ; 
Elizabeth, daughter to Gersham Beers. 

August 7th, Rowland and Benjamin, son to William Robert- 
son; Lyman, son to Nathaniel Jiunings ; Maria, daughter to 
Ezra Godfrey. 

August 31st, William Parrott, adult : Sarah Hannah, 
Ebeuezer Allen, children to William Parrott. 

September 15th, Susannah, daughter to Allen Nichols ; 
Mary Burr, daughter to Seth Stui'ges, Jr. 

September 25th, Sally, daughter to Isaac Hinman. 

November 17th, George, son to Aaron B. Sturges. 

November 28th, Seth, son to Samuel Osbourn. 

December 5th, David, son to Agur Shelton. 

December 21st, Nathaniel, son to Nathaniel Eels. 

December 29th, Elizabeth, daughter to John Patchen. 

December 31st, Nathaniel, son to Huldah Parsons. 



204 APPENDIX I. 

1800. 

January 19th, Right, son to Jacob "White. 

March 2nd, Nash Thorp, son to William Pike ; Eunice, 
daughter to William Bulkley. 

March 15th, Eunice, daughter to Jonathan Cole ; Hezekiah, 
son to Thomas Squire; Maria, daughter to Daniel Squire; 
Henry Winkley, son to Daniel Cole ; Alvira, daughter to 
John Lockwood ; Walter, son to Levi Thorp ; David Sturges, 
son to Jesse Crossman ; Pamela, daughter to Jonah Rockwell ; 
Alba, son to Ebenezer Gilbert ; Sally Caroline, daughter to 
Hez. Dikeman ; James, son to Simon Morehouse, Negro. 

March 17th, Frederick Tomlinson, son to William Peet. 

Mai-ch 26th, Dolly, daughter to Phyllis, Negro. 

March 27th, Oliver, son to Wheeler Sherman ; Nathaniel 
son to James Fairweather. 

April 19th, Edward, son to Isaac Lyon. 

May 11th, Sophia Nisbot Hall, daughter to Mrs. Beach ; 
Fanny, daughter to Lazarus Beach. 

May 18th, Huldah, daughter to Samuel Sanford. 

June 15th, Caroline, daughter to William Sherwood ; Philo, 
son to Elnathan Smith. 

June 24th, Isaac, son to Ezra Wheeler. 

June 29th, Anna, daughter to Sherwood Fanton ; Linsen, 
daughter to Thomas Colyer ; Munson, son to 

July 20th, Delia, daughter to John Albert : Jonathan, sou 
Increase Bui-r ; Betsey, daughter to Eben Burr ; Charlotte 
Burr, daughter to Alben Bradley. 

July 27th, William Downs, an adult. 

August 28th, Lydea, daughter to Philo Lyon. 

August 30th, Susan, daughter to Samuel French. 

August 31st, Betsey, daughter to Eben Nichols: daughter 
to Gould Nichols. 

September 8th, Emita Emmula Mahitable, daughter to 
Eleazer and Sarah Lacey. 



APPENDIX I. 205 

October 12th, Mariuda, daughter to David Wheeler ; Abigail 
Dimon, daughter to Nath Davis ; Helleu, daughter to Gould 
Bradley ; Olive, daughter to David Bradley ; a child of Robert 
Dows. 

October 17th, Nathaniel Lathrop, son to Capers ; 

James Nash, son to David Craft. 

October 19th Caroline, daughter to Joshua Jinuings. 

November 7th, Sarah, wife to Daniel Clayford ; James, son 
ditto ; Elizabeth, daughter to ditto ; Francies Pierson, son to 
James Allen ; Josiah Sturges, son to George Haj^t ; Mary 
Ann, daughter to William Parrott. 

November 22nd, Frances Augusta, daughter to James 
Hayt. 

December 14th, Mary Ann, daughter to Thomas, Negro. 

1801. 

January 29th, David Peter, son to David Myuott. 

February 1st, Hannah, wife to Benjamin Godfrey; Samuel, 
son to Benjamin Godfrey. 

February 15th, Gilbert, son to Moses Wakeman. 

February 18th, Sally Nichols, daughter to Isaac Seeley. 

March 3rd, Harry Wheeler, son to Samuel Wheeler ; Julian, 
daughter to ditto. 

March 22nd, George Augustus, son to Philo Shelton ; John, 
son to Amos Burr ; Nash, son to Ozias Burr. 

April 19th, Pheby, daughter to John Glover ; Munson, son 
to Levi Thorp ; Sally Orsbourn, Polly Beach, daughters to Ebeu 

Row ; Anna Lockwood, Anson , children to Jabez 

Grey ; Betsey, daughter to Peter Thorp ; Abigail Bradley, 
daughter to Aaron Thorp ; Hull, son to Joel Davis ; Ziba, 
son to Piatt Bennett ; Elam, son to Joseph Bradley. 

May Slst, Wyllis, son to David Burr, Weston. 

June 20th, Climeuia, daughter to Samuel Lord ; David and 
Abbacinda, Jabel Sturges ; Docia, daughter to Jarec Duncan ; 
David and Ebenezer Silliman, Eben Hubble ; Alvalinea, 
daughter to Thomas Squire; Lydea and Abigail, Elen Thorp; 



206 



APPENDIX I. 



Ahaz Silleck, Sarah Morehouse ; Albert, Jabez, and John, 
Jabez Sherwood ; Jesse, son to Obediah Piatt. 

June 21.st, Hellena, daughter to Peter Nichols ; Eliza, 
daughter to L3'man Whitney. 

July 12th, Lucius, son to Minor Jackson Harry, son to 
Samuel Brown ; Charles, son to Jesse Grossman ; Jonathan 
Brunson, son to Asa Beardslee. 

August 30th, Truman, son to Nathaniel Jinnings; Jenathan, 
Munson, and Eliza, children of Richard Bangs ; Ruth, 
daughter to Obediah Squire. 

September 27th Gurden Seymour, son to Isaac Marquand. 

October 11th, Samuel, son to Samuel Orsbourn. 

October 23rd, Francis, son to William Peet ; Mary Ann, 
daughter to James Leaworth. 

October 24th, Horace, son to Whitlock. 

November 1st, Isaac Chauncy, son to Ezra Godfrey ; Harriot, 
daughter to Benjamin Godfrey. 

November 15th, Levi, son to Samuel Sanford. 

November 22nd, Easter Judson, daughter to Joel Goodsel. 

November 25th, Isaac, son to Sterling Sherman. 

December 17th, Hannah Hoyt, daughter to Nathaniel Ells; 
Frances Ann, daughter to Samuel Hawley ; George Hanford, 
son to James McKinsey ; Sarah, daughter to John Peet, 

1802. 

January 5th, Harry, son to Ira Smith. 

January 17th, Peter and Ahas, sons to Miles Oakley. 

January 25th, Joel Thorp, son to William Pike ; Sarah Ann, 
daughter to John Robertson ; James, son to James Bulkley ; 
Eurana Church, Thomas LeGrand, and Benjamin Franklin, 
children of Thomas Smith, Mill River. 

February 14th, William, son to Gersham Beers ; Joseph, 
son to Jacob AVhite. 

March 7th, Abby Jane, daughter to Gersham Bulkley. 

March 14th, Samuel James, son to John Camp, Norwalk. 

March 19th, Francies Susan, daughter^to^Samuel Fi-ench. 



APPENDIX I. 207 

March 21st, Abba Jane, daughter to Ezekiel Oj'sterbauks. 

April 4th, CaroHne, daughter to Lazarus Beach. 

May 1st, Wakeman Hill, son to Eliphalet Dikeman. 

May 9th, Huldah Burritt, daughter to William Bulkley. 

June 13th, Fanny, daughter to Calvin Wheelar ; Elizabeth, 
daughter to Alexand. S. Piatt ; Dencey, daughter to Increase 
Burr ; Warren, son to Jesse Nichols ; Angelina, daughter to 
Elehu Nichols. 

June 20th, Evelina, daughter to William Sherwood. 

July 25th, three children of Libeus Brown. 

August 25th, four children of David Oysterbanks, in Green- 
field ; two of James Downs, at the Junction. 

September 5th, William, son to Robert Downs ; Zalmon, 
son to John Mills; Abigail Lyon, daughter to Nathiel Davis ; 
Daniel, son to Keeler. 

September 26th, Darius, son to William, Greenfield. 

October 3rd, Mary, daughter to Elnathan Smith. 

October 16th, Samuel Jinnings, sou to Ebenez. Lockwood ; 
David Sherwood and Wakeman, sous to Beeby Grey ; Levi 
and Marinda, children of Joseph Whitlock ; David Osbourn, 
son to James Grey ; WilUam and Laura, children of Job 
Lockwood ; Stiles Peet, son to William Green ; Charles 
Green, son to Jonah Rockwell. 

October 21st, Elam, son to William Nichols ; Caroline, 
daughter to Isaac Sealey ; Ira Allen, son to Sherman. 

October 26th, Hannah, daughter to Ephriam Lewis ; Maria, 
daughter to Everett Lewis. 

November 4th, Ezra, sou to Samuel Hawley. 

November 6th, Daniel Holms, son to Aaron Lyon ; Polly 
Ann, daughter to ditto. 

November 7th, Alonzo, son to John Halbert. 

November 16th, George Jarvis, son to James Bulkley ; 
Smith and Silas, sons to William Robertson. 



208 



APPENDIX I. 



1803. 

January 8th, Patty, daughtex- to Gould Nichols ; Squire, son 
to Nathaniel Gilbert ; Huldab, daughter to Eben Gilbert ; 
Polly, daughter to Meeker Murvviu ; Nehemiah, son to Joel 
Davis ; Ebenezer, son to Aaron Thorp ; Eliza and Charles 
William, children to Peter Thorp ; Salome, a child presented 
for Baptism by Eben and Sarah Guyer. 

March 6th, George, son to Isaac Hinman. 

March 19th, Charles, son to Stephen Burroughs ; Clarissa, 
daughter to Samuel Wheeler. 

March, 25th, Levi, son to Daniel Young; Joshua, son to 
Daniel Lord. 

March 27th, Mercy Caroline, daughter to James McKinsey. 

April lOtb, Sally, daughter to Eben Bulkley ; Charles, son 
to the same. 

April 22nd, Samuel son to William Cable. 

May 15th, Samuel Hawley, son to Obediah Piatt. 

June 2Gth, Levi, son to David Burr, Weston. 

July 1st, Wilson Wheeler, son to John French. 

July 9th, Caroline, Munson, Susannah and Eliza children 
to Daniel Evis. 

July 24th, Abby Hall, Sarah Hill Wakeman, adults ; James 
Stewart Osbourn, son to Samuel Osbourn, deceased. 

July 31st, Susan, daughter to James Fairweather ; William, 
son to Wheeler Sherwood ; Elsey, daughter, to Asahel 
Dunnings. 

August 28th, David, son to Samuel Sanford ; Samuel, son 
to Lyman Whitney. 

September 18th, Samuel, son to Silas Wheeler ; Zalmon 
Coley, son to Samuel Brown. 

September 22nd, Levi, son to Sterling Sherman. 

September 25th, Polly, daughter to Lyman Godfi'ey. 

October 2nd, David Hugh, son to Amos Burr ; Margaret, 
daughter to Philo Shelton ; Charles Edw'ard, son to Ozias 
Burr. 



APPENDIX I. 209 

October 8th, James Seely, son to Mrs. Seely, Norfield ; 
Margai'etta, daughter to Eben Hubble ; John and Rache], 
children of Robert Sturges ; Bethiah, daughter to Jabel 
Stui'ges ; Miles, son to Ebenezer Lockwood ; Sally Morehouse, 
daughter to Johathan Morehouse and Huldah Lockwood. 

October 9th, Edgar Bennet, son to Seth Wakeman ; a 
daughter of the same man ; three children belonging to 
Norfield ; one for Ezekiel Oysterbanks, Jr. 

December 11th, Anna, daughter to Robert Downs. 

1804. 

January 29tb, Albert, son to Joshua Jennings. 

April 1st, Abigail, daughter to Capt. David Beers. 

April 23rd, Benjamin Muirson, Abraham Minthorne, Esther 
Ann, children of Benjamin M. Woolsey ; David Allen ; son to 
Abijah Morehouse. 

May 20th, Edward WilHam, son to William Peet. 

June 7th, Whetmore, son to Jesse Nichols, Jr. ; Marina, 
daughter to Peter Nichols. 

June 25th, Mary, daughter to David Middlebrook. 

July 8th, Harriot, daughter to Abel Nichols. 

August 1st, Harriot, daughter to Aaron Hubble. 

August 8th, Samuel, son to the same ; Polly Jarvis, daughter 
to Thomas Smith ; Samuel Brister, son to Samuel Bennett ; 
George and William Bulkley, sons of Ephriam Bobbins ; 
John, son to William Robertson ; Ellihu, son to William 
Bulkley ; Charles and Caroline, children of Abijah Wakeman ; 
Adaline, daughter to Joab Squire ; Abigail and Sally, daughters 
to Benjamin Darrow ; Sally Ann, daughter to Nath. Jennings. 

August 12th, Rebecca, daughter to Isaac Burroughs. 

August 19th, Sirline, son to Ellihu Nichols. 

August 31st, John, son to Isaac Lyon. 

September 1st, David Judson, son to Joel Goodsel. 

September 30th, Eunice, daughter to Obediah Piatt ; 
Bradley, son to Ezekiel Oysterbanks. 



210 APPENDIX I. 

October 20th, Charles, son to Libeus Brown ; Clara, 
daughter to John Godfrey ; a child of Samuel Godfrey. 

October 21st, Charles, son to Jabez Sherwood : Sally Ann, 
daughter to ditto ; William, son to Eleazer Lockwood ; 
Ausou, son to Netus Webb; David Treverse, son to Joseph 
Whitlock. 

October 21st, Nabby, daughter to Jesse Grossman. 

October 28th, Elizabeth Sprague, adult ; William Sprague ; 
Sally, daughter to Eben Burr. 

December 2nd, Lucy and Lucinda, twins, daughters to 
Samuel Darling. 

1805. 

January 13th, Margaret, daughter to William Pike ; Paul, 
son to Paul Sheffield ; Burr, son to John Robertson ; Munson, 
son to Joab Squire. 

February 22nd, Benjamin Samuel, son to Samuel Wheeler. 

March 17th, Samuel and Laura, children of Solomon 
Oysterbanks. 

March 24th, George, son to Elnathan Smith. 

April 7th, Baruch Taylor, sou to Alexander Nichols ; 
Nathan Burr, son to Nathan Keeler. 

May 12th, Erastus, son to Ozias Burr, Jr. ; Frances Ann, 
daughter to Isaac Hinman. 

June 15th, Isaac Webb, an adult ; Susan, daughter to I. 
Webb. 

June 16th, Burr, son to Enos Blackman ; Sarah Maria, 
daughter to James Fairweather ; Mary, daughter to Silas 
Shelton ; Betsey, daughter to John Peet. 

June 27th, Lucretia, Hull, Eunice, Eleanor, Abby, children 
to Benjamin Sherwood ; Eliza, Myriuda, children of Samuel 
and Sarah Dimou ; Richard Montgomery. 

June 29th, Harvey, son to Sterling Sherman ; Susan, 
daughter to Israel Blackman ; Ira Brunson, son to ditto. 

September 4th, Lucretia Burr Watson, daughter to George 
and Deborah Hayt; Susan Matildah, daughter to Levi 



APPENDIX I. 211 

Hubble ; William Henry Hamilton, son to James Allen ; 
Frances Caroline, daughter to Curtiss Blackman. 

September 15th, Kebecca, daughter to Amos Burr. 

September 30th, Daniel, son to Daniel Clarford ; Mary, 
daughter to William Cable. 

October 13th, Ezra Thorp, son to Samuel Brown. 

November 23rd, Charles Edwin, son to James Gray ; 
Eunice, daughter to Beebe Gray ; Hezekiah, son to Eben 
Lockwood; Laurinda, daughter to Jabel Sturges. 

1806. 

January 26th, Clary, daughter to Gould Nichols ; Nathaniel 
Daweman, son to Nathaniel Davis ; Benjamin Hubble, son to 

Gould Bradley ; William Curtiss, son to Beers ; 

Horace, son to Increase Burr. 

January 9th, Caroline, daughter to Joshua Lord. 

March 30tb, Eliza Ann, daughter to Clark Gregory. 

April 10th, Morris, son to Samuel Sturges ; Bradley Hill, 
«on to ditto. 

April 14th, Lazarus Bethana, son to Annis, Negro ; Char- 
lotte, daughter to Thomas, Negro ; John, son to John Burr. 

April 25th, Nancy Thorp, adult ; Thomas and Hannah, 
children of Elisha Thorp ; Sally, Polly, Abigail Dimon, 
children of Eliphalet D. Thorp. 

May 9th, John Divine, son to Nath. Jinnings ; Clarissa 

Sabens, daughter to Smith ; Rosilla, daughter to 

James Bulkley ; Aaron Jinnings, sun to Aaron Hubble. 

May 18th, daughter to Hill Meeker. 

June 1st, Andrew, son to Ebenezer Burr. 

June 8th, Emela Catherine, daughter to William Sherwood. 

July 6th, Sarah Ann, daughter to William Peet ; Benjamin 
Bostwick, son to Samuel Kirtland. 

July 18th, Detia, daughter to Thomas Nash ; Elizabeth, 
Esther, Charity and Temperance, children of Thomas Nash, Jr. 

August 3rd, Betsey, daughter to Jonathan Jones. 



212 APPENDIX I. 

August 7tli, Nat. Winton and Orpheus Smith, sons of 
Nathan Perry. 

August 31st, Mary, daughter to David Craft. 

September 14tb, Eliza, daughter to Sturges Coley ; Clarissa, 
daughter to Nathan Tredwell ; Emmila, daughter to Ezekiel 
Oysterbanks ; Jesse, son to John Bradley ; Caroline, daughter 
to Eben Eoe ; Abby, daughter to Nathan Gilbert ; Harry, 
son to Aaron Bennett ; daughter of Abel Nichols ; Orland 
Oren, son to Alexander Nichols. 

September 22nd, Huldah Gould, adult ; Benjamin, son to 
Joseph Gould ; Deborah, daughter to the same ; Lewis, son 
to the above : Robert, son to Ezra Godfrey ; Catherine Lucy 
Chauncy, daughter to Kenneay. 

October 4th, Samuel Sturges, son to Joseph Lockwood ; 
Laurinda, daughter to Jesse Roes ; Jonathan Downs, son to 
Jabez Grey ; Alonzo, son to the same ; Daniel, Jesse and 
Betsey, children of Eleazer Newcomb ; Moses, son to Huldah 
Lockwood. 

October 5th, Samuel Bradley, adult. 

October 12th, Esther Jane, daughter to Stephen Osboru. 

October 26th, Wheeler, son to Samuel Sanford ; David, son 
to Samuel Wakeman. 

November 30th, Burr and George, children of William 
Goodsel ; Ruth Marinda, daughter to Eben Booth. 

1807. 

January 13th, Abel, Mary, Sarah, Sturges, Eunice and 
Isaac, children of David Bears ; Hannah and W^alter, children 
of Joseph Bears ; Presilla, daughter to Libbeus Brown ; 
Laura, daughter to Lyman Godfrey ; Maria, daughter to 
Benjaman Godfrey. 

January 25th, Samuel, son to Samuel Sturges. 

February 12th, Jeauuette, daughter to Stephen Burroughs. 

March 19th, Mary, daughter to Elijah Burritt ; Sarah Hall, 
an adult ; Eliza, daughter to James Fairweather ; Elijah 
Henry, son to Samuel Hawley. 



APPENDIX I. 



213 



April 12th, Huldah Hill, daughter to Hull Fanten ; Langley, 
son to ditto ; Henry Thorp, son to David Thompson ; William 
Wakeman, son to Eliphalet Thorp. 

May 2nd, Hezekiah, son to Capt. Wilson, deceased. 

May 24th, daughter to Moses Burr, Jr. 

June 7th, Mary Elizabeth, daughter to Nathan Tisdale ; 
Charles Kent, son to Jabez Norman. 

July 19th, Catherine Ann, daughter to Isaac Hinman. 

July 25th, George Howe, son to Clark Gregory. 

July 26th, Bradley Banks, son to Eben Nichols ; Sally 
Hubble, daughter to Banks. 

August 2nd, Benjamin Smith, Alden, sons of Oliver Middle- 
brook; Aaron Burr Bradley and Ruth, children of Daniel 
Downs ; Walter, Mable, Charlotte, Horace and Hiram, 
children of Squire Smith. 

August 16th, Harriot, daughter to Robert Downs. 

August 23rd, Charles, son of Elnathan Smith. 

September 6th, Seabury, son to David Oysterbanks ; Ann 
Bulkley, daughter to the same. 

September 11th, Henry Abraham, son to Levi Hubble ; 
Sheldon, son of Sheldon Sherwood. 

September 27th, Munson, son to Ezekiel Oysterbanks ; 
Horace, son to Peter Nichols ; Wallace, son to Jesse Nichols ; 
Mai'y, daughter to Zalmon Wakeman. 

October 11th, Frederick, son to Amos Burr. 

November 8th, Eliza, daughter to Samuel Brown. 

November 29th, Sarah Wheeler, daughter to 

December 3rd, Sally Ann and Elizabeth, children of Capt. 
Jonathan Mallbly. 

1808. 

February 14th, Mary Cornelia and Abijah, children of 
Isaac Burroughs. 

February 23rd, Rebecca, daughter to David Trubee ; 
George, son to John French ; Haverlin, son to John French. 



214 APPENDIX I. 

March 15th, Laura, Manea, and Amarillas, children of 
David Nichols. 

March 27th, Johanna Mary, daughter to George Hoyt. 

April 2nd, Paulina, daughter to Nehemiah Bradley ; Heze- 
kiah Bradley, son to Hull Murwin ; Sally Baldwin and Anna 
Caroline, children of Mehor Murwin ; Catherine, daughter to 
Jonathan Banks. 

June 5th, Moses Munson, son to Robert Mills ; William 
Anson, son to Jonathan Jones ; Sarah, daughter to Hull 
Fanten ; Esther, daughter to Jabez Hill. 

June 25th, Mary Burr, daughter to Thomas Nash, Jr. ; 
Frederic Augustus, son to John Hanford. 

June 26th, Eben Squire, son to Daniel Cole ; Sarah, 

daughter to Joseph Lockwood ; Joseph Squire, son to 

Rockwell. 

July 10th, Harriot Mai'ia, daughter to Samuel Kirtland. 

September 11th, Catherine Maria and Eliza, children of 
Mrs. Tousey ; Emeline and Catherine, children of Abraham 
Wilson. 

September 22nd, Sally Henrietta, daughter to David Lake -, 
Stephen, son to Jared Mansfield ; Peter Corelyou, son to 
Isaac Tomlinson. 

November 20th, Harvey Newel, son to Harvey Page ; Thomas, 
son to William Robertson ; Sarah, daughter to Joseph Tred- 
well ; Sarah Jinnings, an adult; William George, son of 
Samual Wheeler. 

November 30th, George Virgil, and Mary, children of Joab 
Squii'e, twins ; Lucinda Fairchild, daughter to Eben Bulkley j 
Eunice Taylor, daughter to Moses Jinnings ; Smith 

December 8th, Julia Ann, daughter to James French ; 
Anna, daughter to William Cable ; Ezra Church, son to Ezra 
Porter. 

December 28th, Edwin, son to Phillip Walker ; 

Caroline, daughter to ditto. 



APPENDIX I. 215 



1809. 
January 10th, Rebecca, daughter to John Maltbec. 
January 26th, Agnes, daughter to Simeon Tomlinson. 
February 16th, John Tredwell and Sally, children of - 
Coggshill, Derby. 



February 22nd, Munson Hoyt, Sally Osborn and Dimon, 
children of David D. Bears. 

April 23rd, Mary, daughter to David Osborn ; Lucretia 
Sherwood, daughter to Abel Ogden ; Caroline Matilda, 
daughter to Benjamin Godfrey ; Julian, daughter to Lyman 
Godfrey. 

May 14th, Eunice, daughter to Samuel Sturges. 

May 25th, Betsy Miles, an adult ; Amarillas Beardslee, 
adult ; Johanna Susan, daughter of B. Miles ; Jeannette, 
daughter to Amarillas Beardslee ; Stephen Downs, son to 
William Nichols. 

May 28th, Eliza, daughter to Moses Burr ; Frances Susan, 
daughter to Richard Hyde. 

June 20th, Catherine, daughter to Jason Gould. 

July 2ud, Niel Sherman, son to Jesse Ford ; Hannah 
Blakesley, daughter to Titus Seymour ; Delia, daughter to 
Ebenezer Ford. 

July 9th, Wakeman, son to Eben Burr ; Abigail Turuey, 
daughter to Z. Wakeman ; George Scudder, son to Alexander 
Nichols. 

August 6th, Eleanor Hull, daughter to Joseph Banks ; 
Samuel Squire, son to Seth Sturges ; Seth Morehouse, son to 
the same. 

August 13th, Joseph Sheldon and William Henry, sons of 
Joseph Clark. 

August 20th, Maria, daughter to Richard Hubble. 

August 27th, Elizabeth, daughter to Stephen Osborn. 

September 10th, Mary, daughter to Jonathan Cole ; Walter, 
son to Jesse Nichols ; George, son to Timothy Burr ; 
Marietta Albert, daughter to John Bradley ; Abraham Dudley 



216 APPENDIX I. 

Baldwin, son to Daniel Downs ; Aaron Deen, son to 

Banks. 

September 17th, David Seeley, son to Seeley Meeker ; 
Elizabeth Adeline, daughter to Elijah Kirtland. 

October 1st, Bradford Jinnings, adult. 

October 22nd, Eunice Gilbert, Desire Mills, adults ; Austin, 
son to Ell Nichols; Charlotte, daughter to John Patchen ; 
Ebenezer, son to Robert Downs ; Julia Mehitable, daughter 
to Silas Shelton. 

November 12th, Eliza Ann, daughter to Barney Lockwood. 

December 2nd, Amy Maria, daughter to David Whaland. 

December 3rd, Pollinah, daughter to John Bears. 

December 17th, Allen, adult. 

1810. 

January 7th, William Burrell, son to William Burrell. 

February 4th, Jonah, son to Sheldon Sherwood ; Raymond, 
son to Ezekiel B. O. Banks. 

February 14th, Annah Maria, daughter to Roe ; 

Aulanda, Malinda, and Elizabeth, daughters to David Thorp. 

February 20th, Charles, Benjamin, and Ephriam, sons to 
James Penfield. 

February 25th, Jane Lewis and George Burr, children of 
Gershom ; Charles, son to Ezra Godfrey ; Agur, sou to 
Ezra Godfrey ; Lydia Ann, daughter to Elijah Shelton ; 
Elijah Lynsel, son to Elijah D. Shelton : Edwin Nichols, son 
to Everitt Thomson. 

March, 16th, Caroline, daughter to Robert Clark ; Abby, 
Jane, Daniel, and George, children of Daniel Mills. 

March 25th, Ebenezer Thorp, son to Jesse Andrews. 

April 3rd, Theodore, son to James Allen. 

April 22nd, Henry Augustus, son to Amos Burr. 

May 13th, John Sylvester and James Phineas, sons of 
James Spragg. 

June 10th, Mary Ann, daughter to Seth Osbourn. 



APPENDIX I. 217 

June 17fch, Mary Perry, daughter to Walter Sherwood ; 
Munson, son to Elnathan Smith ; Eunice Maria, daughter to 
James Smith. 

June 24th, James Bronson, Charles Denison, sons to James 
Crofut. 

June 27th, Betsey, daughter to Stiles Nichols ; James 
Wilson, son to John Porter ; Daniel Squu-e, adult ; Polly 
Sherwood, adult. 

July 15th, Levi Jesup, son to Ozias Burr, Jr. 

July 22nd, Mary Ann, daughter to Albert Lockwood ; Alba 
Burr, Mary, children to Eben Lockwood; Harriet daughter 
to Beebe Grey. 

July 29th, Henry Judd, son to Samuel Bears, Jr. 

August 12th, Alonzo, son to Bradford Jinnings ; Charles 
Anson, son to Joseph Lockwood. 

August 29th, Clarine, daughter to Hill Meeker. ' 

September 30th, David Osborn, son to David Allen ; 
Charlotte, daughter to David Trubee ; Samuel Curtiss, son to 
Samuel Trubee ; George, son to Lyman Godfrey. 

October 7th, Edward Ebenezer, son to Jonah Prindle; 
Catherine Ann, daughter to Isaac Burroughs. 

9th, Lewis, son to Brown ; Phineas Whitney, son to 

Jesse Eow ; Sarah Lockwood, daughter to Jabez Grey. 

October 16th, James Increase, son to Blackman ; 

Mary Wheeler, daughter to John French ; Bradley Dimon, 
son of Seth Seeley. 

October 21st, Peter Whitney, son to Abel Beers ; William, 
son to Joab Squire ; Eliza, daughter to John Peet ; Jane 
Maria, daughter to Charles Bostwick ; William Bostwick, son 
to Samuel Kirtland. 

October 3 1st, Eunice, daughter to Jinnings. 

November 28th, Horace, son to Clark Gregory. 

December 25th, Henry, son to Jeremiah Sturges. 



218 APPENDIX I. 

1811. 

January Adelia, daughter to Isaac Booth ; Daniel, son 

to Samuel Hawley. 

March 12th, John, son to Samuel Wakeman. 

April 15th, Francis, son of Samuel Hawley. 

May 12th, Eliza, daughter to Sheldon Sherwood. 

May 19th, Henry, son to Ward Bulkley ; Mary Bears, 
daughter to David B. Perry. 

June 16th, David, son to Abel Ogden. 

June 30th, Sturges Perry, son to Levi Hugg. 

July 7th, Wealthy Persens, an adult ; Betsey, daughter to 
Wealthy Persens ; Betsey, daughter to Harvey Page ; Francis, 
son to James Fairweather. 

July 13th, Mary, daughter to Joseph Darling. 

July 14th, Samuel Coley, son to Samuel Brown ; William, 
son to Eben Burr; Seth Wakeman, son to John Branley; son, 
to Joseph Meeker. 

August 8th, Ambrose, son to Agur Hubble. 

August 9th, Elizabeth, daughter to William Peet. 

August 11th, Etueline, daughter to David Osborn; Joseph, 
son to Joseph Banks. 

August 18th, Jane Elizabeth, daughter to Stebens Smith; 
Jane Hill, daughter to Samuel Dimon. 

November 3rd, Harriot and Harry, twins to Peter Nichols; 
Catherine Amanda, daughter to Charity Nichols. 

November 17th, Eunice Wakeman, adult, and her four 
children. 

December 9th, Rebecca, daughter to Sterling Sherman; 
Mary Johanna, daughter to Samuel Wheeler. 

1812. 
January 8th, Charles and George, children of James Das- 
comb; Philo, sou to Eleazer Beardslee. 

January 10th, Sturges Lewis, son to J. Lewis Bristor. 



APPENDIX I. 219 

January 15th, Eliza Ann, daughter to Blake; another 

of the same family; Elizabeth, daughter to Middle- 
brooks. 

February 2ud, Henrietta, daughter to Samuel Sturges. 

March 1st, Mary, daughter to Robert Downs; Pormelia, 
daughter to Peter Banks; Jane Hanford, wife of J. Hanford- 
adult. 

April 26th, Hannah, woman of color, an adult. 

May 17th, Elizabeth, daughter to Amos Burr. 

May 31st, Munson Hinman, son to Richard Hyde. 

June 7th, Jerusha Maria, daughter to Morse R. Botsford; 
Edgar, son to Ephriam Bobbins; Nabby Robertson, daughter 
to Dewey. 

June 10th, Catherine, daughter to Ozias Burr; Milla 
Goodsel, Allthea Sherwood, Sally Banks, adults. 

June 13th, Wakeman, son to George Washington Goodsel; 
Anna and Mary, daughters to Levi Sherwood; John, son to 
Lewis Goodsel; David Meeker, son to Philo Foot; David 
Hubble, son to Daniel Downs; Polly and Emmira, children to 
Hez. Sherwood. 

June 28th, Azariah Burton, son to Alex. Nichols. 

August 8th, Betsey, daughter to Peter Sturges. 

August 30th, Sarah Ann, daughter to Joel Goodsel. 

October 22nd, Charles William, son to Charles Bostwick. 

October 24th, Susannah and Mary, children of Gershom 
Bears. 

October 25th, Willis, son to Blake. 

November 27th, William Patch, an adult; Nathaniel Wilson, 
son to William Patch. 

1813. 

January 10th, Charles William, son to Steben Smith. 

April 18th, Harvej', son to John French; Abby Emma, 
daughter to Dr. Nathan Tisdale; Mary Lucretia, daughter to 
Joseph P. Shelton; Henrietta Clarke, daughter to Samuel 
Kirtland. 



220 APPENDIX I. 

April 25th, Elizabeth, daughter to Abel Bears; William, 
son to Abel Ogden. 

May 30th, Harriot, daughter to Calvin Wheeler; Catherine, 
daughter to Jonathan Cole; James, son to Jesse Brown. 

Chatherine Murrin, daughter to Miles Oakley. 

June 6th, Lothrop, son to Samuel Bears, Jr.; Amanda, 
daughter to Ward Bulkley; Caroline Silliman, daughter to 
Joseph Bulkley. 

July 4th, Morris, son to Steven Bulkley. 

August 8th, Ann Maria, daughter to Harvey Page. 

December 16th, Mary Sophia, daughter to Sally Meeker. 

1814. 

Jaauarj' 1st, Sarah Ann, daughter to Lewis Bi'ewster ; 
William, son to James Penfield. 

January 11th, Mary and John Burr, children of Jesse Scovil; 
George, son to AVilliam Bedent; Elijah, son to Agur Hubble. 

February 21st, Samuel, son to Robert Downs; Jesse Squire, 
son to Barney Lockwood. 

April 3rd, Willis, son to Shelden Sherwood. 

April 8th, Elizabeth Hyde, daughter to Jesse Andrews. 

April 13th, William, son to Nathaniel Jinnings. 

May 1st, Sarah Ann, daughter to Amos Burr; Eliza Ann, 
daughter to Charles Nichols. 

June 18th, Sophia and Margaret, daughters of Samuel 
Hawley. 

July 6th, Reuby Ann, daughter to Seth Seeley. 

July 8th, York, a man of coloi'. 

October lst> Lewis, son to Lewis Goodsel; Eunice, daughter 
to George Goodsel; Rowland, son to Daniel Downs; Moses 
and Catherine, children of David O. Banks; Abraham, son to 
Noah Banks: Ebenezer, son to James Goodsel; Isaac Brock, 

son to Thomas; son to Alexander Nichols; Samuel, 

son to Samuel AVakeman. 

October 30th, David Roberts, son to James Allen. 



APPENDIX I. 221 

November 2nd, William Nichols and Elizabeth Ann, children 
of William Goodsel: Eliza Jane, daughter to Joseph Clarke. 

November 6th, Mary Ann, daughter to Sturges Nichols. 

November 25th, Frederick Augustus, son to Samuel Wheeler. 

December 18th, Mary Frances, daughter to Edmund 
Darrow. 

December 26th, Sarah Ann, daughter to Lewis S. Brewster. 

1815. 

January 24th, Olivia Kirtland, daughter to Ira Peck. 

March 15th, Horace, son to Elijah Nichols, Greenfield. 

March 26th, Jonathan, son to Abel Beers. 

March 30th, Wilsany, daughter to John French. 

April 5th, Alvira, Sarah, and Henrietta, daughters to Walter 
Nichols. 

May 14th, Jane Maria, daughter to William Warden; Abra- 
ham Hubble, son to Daniel Young. 

June lltb, Harriot Eunice, daughter to Dr. N. Tindale. 

June 18th, Samuel, son to Samuel Beers; Morehouse, son 
to Joseph Bulkley. 

July 16th, Henrietta, daughter to Jeremiah Sturges. 

September 10th, Betsey Smith, wife of George Smith, 
adult. 

October 8th, William Henry, son to Ozias Burr, Jr.; Jared, 
son to Harvey Page. 

October 22nd, Moses, son to Sturges O. Banks; Joseph, 
grandson to Ezekiel O. Banks. 

October 29th, Jane, daughter to Job Bartram. 

October 30tb, William and Maria, children of 

Middlebrook. 

November 9th, Samuel Bradley Middlebrook, an adult. 

November 20th, Henry and Henrietta, twins of Agur 
Hubble. 

November 26th, Charles Burritt, Maria Abby, children of 
Caleb Beach. 



222 



APPENDIX I. 



December 2nd, Frederick Samuel, sou to Samuel Kirtland. 

December 14tli, James, son to James Fairweather; Lucy 
Ann, daughter to William Patch. 

1816. 

January 13th, Elizabeth and Lavina, daughters of Capt. 
■Curtis Blackman; Isaac, son to Munson Hinman. 

January 24th, Simeon, son to Sylph, a boy of color. 

February 11th, James Weeks, an adult. 

February 14th, Jerusha Middlebrooks, adult; Hiram, John 
Mills, Frances Ann, and Mary Delia, children of Middle- 
brook. 

February 18th, Phillips Perry Porter, Alonzo Cable, Eossel 
Cable, Lent Munson Hitchcock, Catherine Middlebrook, adults. 

March 18th, Sarali Ann, adult; Hannah, daughter to 

Fairchild. 

March 21st, Henry son to David Penfield; Elizabeth Pen- 
field, and a son of Adad Bulkley; Azariah Gould, and a 
daughter of Coggsel. 

April 1st, Henry Augustus and Maria Phillips, children of 
Sillick; William Richard Jinnings, adult. 

April 28th, George, son to William Robertson. 

May 5th, Morse Kent, son to Morse H. Botsford. 

June 12th, Maximillia, daughter to John Chattertou. 

June 13th, Thomas, son to Lewis Goodsel; Malvina and 
Betsey, daughters to Daniel Smith; Paulina, daughter to Eli 
Wheeler; Sarah, daughter to James Goodsel; Zalmon, son to 
Joseph Sherwood; Samuel Wakeman, son to Abraham Banks. 

June 16th, Jane Catherine, daughter to George Smith. 

July 21st, Maria, daughter to Edmund Darrow: Jane Ann, 
daughter to David Trubee. 

August 4th, Emma Rebecca, daughter to Caleb Beach. 

September 1st, George, son to Ward Bulkley. 

October 13tb, Elizabeth, daughter to Abel Ogden; Presillia, 
■daughter to Thaniel P. Beers. 

October 22nd, Nathan Keeler, son to Seeley Meeker. 



APPENDIX I. 223 

October 27th, Lewis Wheeler, son to Joel Goodsel. 
November 17th, Charles William, son to William Warden. 
December 29th, Harriot Hinman, daughter to James Allen. 

1817. 

January 1st, Eliza, daughter to David Nichols; Rufus, son 
to Abel Nichols. 

March 4th, Mary Burr, daughter to Isaiah Jinnings; 
Frances Mary, daughter to Levi Burr. 

March 5th, Samuel Peet, Hellen Peet, adults: Emeline, 
daughter to Samuel Peet; Shelton Beach, son to Samuel 
Straten; Samuel Edwards, son to ditto; George Wilson, son 
to Samuel Hawley; William Burr, son to Samuel Middle- 
brook; Henry Edwards, son to William Goodsel. 

March 23rd, Jane Hanford, wife of Joseph Hanford. 

April 6th, George William, son to Bradley Middlebrooks; 
Susan Caroline and Minerva, children of Sheldon Smith; 
Samuel Stebens, son to Stebens Smith: Ann Loiza, daughter 
to Rosel S. Nichols; George Horatio, son to Nathan Tisdale; 
Ann Maria, daughter to Nichols Burr. 

May 25th, Eliza Meed, an adult; Maria Meed, her sister; 
June, daughter to Richai'd Hyde; Rosel Stiles Nichols, Mr. 
Hitchcock, adults. 

July 13th, John Francis, son to Francis Bulkley; Griselda 
Bradley, Mary Bradley, sisters, adults. 

July 17th, Catherine and Mary, daughters to Hill Meeker. 

August 10th, Charles Benjamin, son to Epinchis Curtiss. 

August 17th, Emeline Augusta, daughter to Benjamin 
Brooks. 

October 4th, Susannah, daughter to Sally Hawkins. 

November 21st, Joseph Bulkley, an infant. 

November 29th, Henrietta, daughter to Joseph Bulkley; 
Mary Ann, daughter to Joseph Brooks. 

November 30th, Jane Elizabeth, ditto to Samuel Kirtland. 



224 APPENDIX I. 

December 16th, Emeline Lucretia, daughter to David 
Curtiss ; Edward, son to Samuel Peet ; Frances Ann, daughter 

to James French Jr. 

1818. 

January 18th Horace, son to Edmund Darrow. 

March 1st, Theodore, son to Walter Bulkley. 

March 29th, Charles Mansfield, son to George Nichols. 

April 27th, Elizabeth, daughter to Moses Jarvis. 

April 28th, son to Sample. 

May 21st, Bithinia, daughter to Curtis Blakeman ; Henry 
Mead, son to Mudson Hinman. 

May 24:th, Elizabeth Dimon, daughter to Jesse Banks ; 
Sireno Edwards, son to Abel Ogden. 

June 14th, Sophronia, daughter to William Kobertson. 

June 21st, Maria, daughter to Bradley Middlebrook. 

July 12th, Rebecca Jinnings, daughter to Charles Sherwood. 

July 26th, Saphina, daughter to Samuel Beers. 

September 11th, Betsey Balton, adult. 

October 11th, Henry Kent, son to Moss R. Botsford. 

October 18th, Edward, son to Stephen Osbourn. 

October 28th, Grace, daughter to Silas and Avis Judsen. 

November 20th, Joseph, son to John French. 

December 13th, Mary Elizabeth, daughter to Shelden Smith. 

1819. 

January 6th, son to William Goodsel. 

February 14th, Mary, daughter to Cromline, at Cold 

Springs. 

May 23rd, Luther Wood, adult ; Charles Frederic, Luvinia 
Stone, children of L. Wood ; Eliza Amelia, daughter to 

William Warden ; Charles Lyman, son to Person : 

George Huntington, son to Charles Nichols ; Harriot Eliza, 
daughter to Star Peck. 

June 6th, Peter, son to Ezra Burr, Fairfield ; Alexander 
Rowland, son to William Robertson ; Frederick Augustus, 
son to Wakeman Davis. 



APPENDIX I. 225 

1819. 

June 28th, Fanny, daughter to James Lyon, Greenfield. 

July 10th, Emeline, daughter to James Perry; Susan, 
daughter to the same. 

July 11th, George August, son to Richard Hyde; William 
Henry, son to Stebens Smith; Harriet Jones, daughter to 
Benjamin Brooks. 

July 18th, Frederick, son to Ward Bulkley. 

August 8th, William, son to Joseph Bears. 

September 5th, Eliza, daughter to Bakpr Cook; Horatio 
Ross, son to John Cook; Pamelia Louisa, daughter to George 
Cook ; George Smith, son to George Cook. 

September 6th, Sarah Ann Sylliman, daughter to Adad 
Bulkley. 

September 12th, James Cliiford, son to James Allen. 

September 29th, Rhenanice, David Seely, and Harriot, 
children to Widow Charity Patchen. 

October 17th, Cornelia Ann, daughter to Hull Sherwood. 

October 31st, Catherine Rogers, daughter to Joseph Banks. 

November 21st, Frederick, son to Edmund Darrow. 

December 5th, Mary Middlebrooks, Betsey Porter, adults. 

December 29th, Alvord Edwards, Henry Beardsley, sons of 
David Hubble, Jr. 

1820. 

January 16th, Mary Ann, daughter to John S. Cook. 

January 26th, Andrew, son to Abel Beers; William Clarke, 
son to William Bulkley: Abel, son to Abel Ogden; Aaron 
Burr, Samuel, sons of Hezekiah Bradley. 

March 5th, Sylvestei-, son to William Robertson. 

March 18th, Daniel Porter, son to William Cable; Susan, 
daughter to the above Cable. 

March 22nd, Mary Ann, daughter to Samuel Hawley. 

April Ist, Emeline Burr, daughter to Jesup Banks. 



226 APPENDIX I. 

April 23rd, Mary Burr, daughter to Charles Sherwood; 
Charles, son to Bradley Middlebrooks ; Harvey Page, Emeliue, 
children of Persons. 

May 7th, Mary Jerusia, daughter to Jane Banks. 

June 23rd, Francis, son to Timothy Williams. 

July 2nd, Charles Augustus, son to Samuel Kirtland; 
Susan Maria, daughter to Epinetus Curtis. 

July 30th, Walter Bulkley's son by the name of Horatio. 

August 6th, Hester, daughter to Francis Bulkley ; Benjamin 
Sherman, son to Benjamin Brooks. 

August 20th, Catherine Bulkley, adult: Elizabeth Bulkley, 
adult. 

September 17th, Elizabeth, daughter to Munson Hinman; 
Henry Thomas, son to Thomas Longworth; William Frederick, 
son to Wright. 

September 24th, Nelson Street, son to Nash Street, in 
Norwalk Church. 

October 1st, Joseph, son to Joseph Perry; William Newell, 
Mary Ann, Sophia Hart, Martha Maria, Emela, Munson, 
Franklin, and James Clifford, children of Capt. Lent Munson 
Hitchcock. 

November 1st, Elizabeth Marian, Henry Davis, Timothy 
Benham, Lucy Ann, children of Timothy Booth. 

November 16th, Sarah, daughter to William Patch. 

November 26th, John Robert, son to Charles Bostwick. 

December 9th, Betsey Amelia, daughter to Sarah Lacey; 
George, son to Elijah Nichols. 

December 16th, Emeline, daughter to John French. 

1821. 

February 11th, Harriet Salina, daughter to Pinkney Jones. 

March 11th, Lucretia, daughter to C. Walter Sherwood ; 
Caroline Matilda, daughter to Henry Young. 

March 16th, Cordelia, daughter to Jesup Banks. 

April 11th, Charlotte, Caroline, Martha, children of Levi 
Downs. 



APPENDIX I. 



227 



April 20th, Caroline Silliman, daughter to Js. Bulkley. 

May 25th, Elizabeth Frances Seeley, William Peabody, 
adults; Charles Albert, John, Augustus, Frederick, children 
of William Peabody. 

June 3rd, Elizabeth Frances, daughter to Nathan Tisdale. 

June 17th, Elizabeth Abigail, daughter to Joseph Brooks. 

July 24th, Andrew Bulkley, son to Samuel Bears. 

August 19th, Hannah Maria, daughter to James Allen. 

August 25th, Adaline, daughter to Sally Hawkins. 

September 9th, Charles Baldwin, son to Rosil S. Nichols. 

September 16th, Peter, son to Francis Bulkley ; Amelia 
Antoinette, daughter to William Robertson; John Henry, son 
to Walter Bulkley. 

October 1st, Frances Matilda, daughter to Benjamin 
Brooks. 

October 16th, William Sims, son of Abraham Woolsey. 

November 18th, Catherine Ann, daughter to William 
Cannon ; Cornelia, daughter to Wakeman Davis ; Harriet 
Taylor, daughter to Daniel Foot. 

November 26th, Sarah Ann, daughter to James Allen, the 3rd . 

December 5th, Francis Edgar, son to William Warden. 

December 20th, Uriah, David, sons of David Burr, Green- 
field. 

1822. 

January 27th, Emeline, daughter to Joseph Brothwell ; 
William, son to Edmund Darrow ; Andrew, son to Ward 
Bulkley. 

March 3rd, Abel, son to Capt. Abel Beers. 

March 31st, Samuel, son to Capt. Leut Hitchcock. 

April 25th, Sarah Mason, an adult ; Edgar, son to Shelden 
Smith ; Catherine Maria, daughter to William Wright. 

April 26th, Sarah Ann, daughter to Bradley Middlebrooks ; 

Edgar, son to Mason ; Martha Maria, daughter to 

Persons. 

June 23rd, Harriet, daughter to Charles Sherwood. 



228 APPENDIX I. 

June Both, John Austin, son to William and Susan Crocker. 

July 4tli, George and Emeline, children of Joseph Crofut, 
of Danbury. 

July 19th, John Stebens, son to Stebens Smith. 

July 28th, Sarah Ann, daughter to Samuel Sturges. 

September 22nd, Alice, daughter to Andrew Winton ; 
Mary, Lois Ann, Susan, Hezekiah, Sarah Winton, children of 
James Lyon ; Delia Maria, daughter to Jeremiah Sherwood ; 
Francis Bradley, son to Abraham Banks ; Elizabeth, daughter 
to Anson Wheeler. 

1823. 

February 1st, Harriet, Eussel, children of Capt. Matthew 
Curtis. 

March 9th, Alonzo Jackson, son to William Robertson. 

April 6th, Caroline Burr, daughter to Hull Sherwood ; 
Maria, daughter to Philo N. Shelton. 

May 4th, Julia Maria, daughter to Thaniel P. Beers. 

May 16th, Charles David, son of Rev. Henry Judah. 

May 18th, daughter of Joseph Bulkley ; Ruth Rebecca, 
daughter to Samuel Furgerson. 

May 25th, Catherine Maria, daughter to Henry Peet ; Sarah 
Elizabeth Ann, daughter to James Clifford; Mary Ann, 
daughter to Henry Young; Julia Hull, daughter to Jesse 
Banks. 

August 17th, Sophia Augusta, daughter to Dr. Nathan 
Tisdale ; Livinia Blakeman, daughter to Munson Hinman. 

August 24th, Maria Louisa, daughter to Benjamin Brooks. 

September 14th, Theodosius, son to James Allen, the 3rd. 

September the 21st, Mary Ann Farmer, daughter to William 
Bulkley. 

December 5th, Daniel Alexander, son to Daniel Clifford. 

1824. 

January 12th, Moses Dimon, son to Walter Treadwell ; 
Lloyd Wakeman, son to Hanford Nichols. 

January 14th, Daniel, son to Hill Meeker. 



APPENDIX I. 229 

March 14th, Richard Henry, son to Eichard Hyde ; Francis 
Henry, son to James Allen, 2nd. 

March 28, Mary Ann, daughter to William Warden. 

April 4th, Minerva, daughter to Edmund Darrow ; William 
Robertson, son to Wakeman Davis ; Walter, son to Walter 
Bulkley. 

April 18th, Caroline Burr, adult. 

July 18th, William, son to Capt. Abel Beers. 

September 11th, John Robertson, son to Benjamin Sher- 
wood; Richard and Robert, sons of Peter Johnson. 

October 3rd, Rebecca Hoyt, daughter to Samuel Beers. 

November 17th, Margaret Pike, daughter to Perry ; 

Jabez Jinnings, son to Levi Burr; Levi Wakeman, son to 
ditto. 

December 3rd, Elizabeth, daughter to Daniel Ludlow 
Robertson, Fredericton, New Brunswick; Lucy Nichols, 
daughter to Joseph P. Shelton, baptized at Westfarms, New 
York. 

1825. 

October 16th, Baptized by the Rev.'Mr. Burhans; John 
Henry, son of Hull Sherwood ; Henry, son of Wakeman 
Davis ; Maria, daughter of Francis Bulkley. 



230 APPENDIX I. 



APPENDIX I. 



A LIST OF THOSE I HAVE BURIED. 

1786. 
March 1st, Hannah Dascomb, old age. 
April 25th, Josiah Smith, Sen., old age. 
September 7th, Hannah Bangs, a child with worm; the 
wife of James Knapp, putrid fever. 

October 9th, Hezekiah Bulkley, consumption. 

1788. 
June 28tb, Zebulon Walker Kirtland, an infant. 

1789. 
May 1st, Zachariah Whelar, consumption. 
December 11th, Richard Walker Booth, consumption. 

1790. 
March 1st, Jonathan Bulkley, gout in the stomach. 
August 15th, Olive Kirtland, nervous fever. 
November 9th, Capt. Peter Whitney, black jaundice. 

1791. 
November 1st, Old Mrs. Burrough, with old aga. 

1792. 
January 3rd, the wife of Capt. Thomas Holbertson, con- 
sumption. 

April 28th, Captain Hezekiah Sturges, apoplectic fit. 
May 18th, John Sherwood, consumption. 
September 2nd, Widow Margaret Lacy, dropsy. 
September 24th, Catherine Murrin, nervous fever. 



APPENDIX I. 231 

November lOth, Adria Allen, an infant; bladder in the 
throat. 

December 19th, Ned, a Negro; dropsy. 

1793. 

March 19th, EUihu Burritt, apoplectic fit. 

April 30th, Abigail Sherwood, small pox. 

July 14th, Mrs. Nichols, and her infant, Daniel, wife of 
David Nichols; cancer. 

August 5th, Mrs. Sarah Davis, old age; 86 years old. 

November 17th, Isabel Hawley, consumption. 

December l^th, Eben Davis, of nervous fever. 

December 24th, Increase Burr, wenn in the throat. 

1794. 

January 27th, David Robertson, scarlet fever. 

February 28th, Samuel Robertson, lingering complaints. 

S@°(Mama) Abigail Shelton, died 22nd of February, 1794, 
aged 80. 

June 27th, William Edward Nichols, an infant; teething. 

July 9th, John Robertson, consumption; old man. 

August 3rd, Sally Hinman, camp distemper; 18 months old. 

August 19th, Charity Burr, dysentery, 28. 

August 24th, Rebecca Burr, dysentery, 30; sisters. 

August 27th, Josiah Smith, diabetes; 37 years old. 

September 13th, Philo Burr, dysentery; 13 years old. 

November 2nd, Silas Morehouse, dysentery; 5 years old. 

November 5th, Stephen Adams, old age; 86. 

1795. 

January 3rd, the wife of David Jinnings, 40 years; suddenly. 

January 30th, the wife of Jonathan Coley, aged 77; old age. 

April 13th, Anna, wife to Peter Bulkley, numb palsy. 

April 21st, Anna, wife to William Nichols, in childbed. 

May 26th, Elizabeth, wife to Gersham Bulkley, ajDoplectic fit. 

June 7th, Joseph Beers, gravel; 83 years old. 

June 23rd, Obediah Whelar, scarlet fever: aged 7 years. 

July 4th, Widow Hawley, consumption; 76 years. 



232 APPENDIX I. 

August 4th, Prudence Smith, 80 years; suddenly. 
August 21st, Valerius G. Skidmore, 3 years; dysentery. 
August 24th, Naomi Hull, infant: worms. 
September 2ud, Joseph Allen, infant, dysentery. 
September 22nd, Abigail Whelar, dropsy, 61 years. 
October 7th, David Barlow, old age: 76 years. 
November 2nd, Jesse Piatt, epileptic fit; 34 years. 
November lOtb, Polly, wife to Lazarus Beach, in childbed; 
35 years. 
December 20th, Rowland Roberts, an infant; whooping 

cough. 

1796. 

January 26th, Sarah Forgin, apopletic fit, 72 years old. 
February 4th, Sarah Ballow, infant. 
February 5th, Hannah Wing, dropsy; 30 years. 
March 1st, Joseph Bulkley, consumption, 50 years. 
March 14th, Elizabeth, wife to Thomas L. Collier, con- 
sumption. 

March 27th, Mary Darling, 5 years old; worms. 
September 10th, Shelton Edwards, 15 years old; murdered. 
October 24th, Mary Mills, 55 years: slow fever. 
December 11th, William Hinman, infant. 
December 25th, Nathan Foot, dropsy; 77 years old. Mary 

Wheeler, 84 years old. 

1797. 

February 9th, Susannah Burr, 4 years; dropsy in the head. 

February 15th, Susannah Burr, mother to the above, aged 
25; consumption. 

March 1st, Sarah Seeley, consumption, 20 years. 

March 6th, Nancy Bulkley, epileptic fit; 8 years. 

April 20th, Mary Vero, 78 years old; suddenly. An infant 
of David Beers, unbaptized. 

May 14th, Lois Burr, in childbed sickness; 21 years. 

June 10th, Daniel Bulkley, dropsy, 78 years. 

July 8th, Ebenezer Allen, 11 years; accidental death. 



APPENDIX I. 233 

December 12th, William Holbertson, with a scirrhus liver; 
57 years old. 

December 21st, Hepsa Seeley, consumption; 19 years old. 

1798. 

January 3rd, Widow Wheeler, old age; 73 years old. 

January 12th, James Knapp, plurisey; 57 years old. 

February 1st, Eunice Bulkley, epilectic fit; 22 years. 

May 1st, Levi Jinnings, an infant, I3 year old; consumption. 

June 20th, Sarah, wife to Phillip Bennett, childbed, 43 
years. 

July 3rd, Nathaniel Perry, old age; 80 years old. 

July 6th, Elizabeth Beers, aged 84. 

August 2nd, George Hinman, an infant; inflamation of the 
bowels. 

August 14th, Joseph Fair weather, an infant; ditto. 

September 2nd, Michael Seeley, consumption; 60 years. 

November 5th, Kuel Thorp, consumption, 60 years. 

November 7th, Mercy Ells, mumps; 5 months old. 

November 14th, a child of Philo Lyon, unbaptized. 

November 3th, an infant of Lazarus Beach. 

December 6th, Jesse Young, consumption; 25 years old. 

1799. 

February 13th, Wolcott Patchen, Plurisey; 39 years. 

February 24th, Rebecca Cable, apoplectic fit; 80 years. 

March 22nd, Widow Thorp, apoplectic; 83 years. 

March 29th, Lucy Sherwood, canker; 4 years old. 

April 3rd, Eunice Young, an infant. 

September 7th, Thadeus Benedict, Esq., dropsy; 50 years. 
The wife of Thomas, a Negro. 

December 28th, Ezra Kirtland, epileptic fit; 46 years. 

1800. 

January 13th, Ebenezer Bulkley, 7 years old; suddenly. 

January 20th, a child of Miles Greenfield, burned; 3 years. 

February 11th, Anna Cascomb, in a fit; 64 years. 

March 11th, Tabatha Waklee, burned to death; 91 years. 



234 APPENDIX I. 

May 14th, Penniah Thomson, consumption, 19 years. 

June 23rd, Nathaniel Porter, mortification in the bowels, 
from a sudden cold; 13 years old. 

June 24th, Ephriam Nichols, mortification in the bowels, 
from eating currants; suddenly, 10 years old. 

July 12th, Clarissa Allen Meeker, 5 years; complaint, worms. 

August 11th, Mary Ann Mynott, camp distemper; about 86 
years old. 

August 23rd, Ezra Kirtland, numb palsy, years of age 70. 

September 5th, Sarah Seeley, consumption; 59 years old. 

September 8th, Aaron Hopson, nervous fever; 60 years. 

October 6th, Ward William Hill, 66 years. 

October 8th, John Young, consumption; 8 years old. 

1801. 

January 4th, Epaphras Goodsel, apoplectic fit; 58 years. 

February 19th, Sarah, wife to Isaac Seeley, consumption; 
20 years. 

February 25th, Benom Dimon, gravel; aged 75 years. 

May 11th, Mary Lyon, Plurisey; 80 years old. 

May 19th, Kobert Jinnings, apoplectic fit; 42 years. 

June 1st, Ebenezer Wakeman, consumption; 52 years. 

October 13th, EUzabeth Clay ford, 14 months old; whooping 
cough. 

December 2nd, Lucy Sellers, consumption; 23 years old. 

December 30th, Lois Gilbert, 73 years: cancerous in arm 

and breast. 

1802. 

January 5th, Josiah S. Hoyt, 1 year, 9 months; inflammation 
of the bowels. 

June 8th, Martha Hall, 85 years old. 

April 3rd, James McKensey, aged 30. 

July 27th, Clara Godfrey, consumption; age 36. 

September lOth, Samuel Sherwood, aged 69. 

1803. 
January 3rd, Zebalon Kirtland, aged 47; consumption. 



APPENDIX I. 235 

February 13th, Mary French, wife of James French ; Daniel 
Young, aged 54; lingering complaint. 

February 18th, David Seeley, aged 9 years; dropsy in the 
brain. 

February 20th, Samuel Osborn, aged 45; hemorrhage. 

March 22nd, George Hinman, 6 months old; dropsy in the 
brain. 

April 23rd, Samuel Baker, aged 85; cramp in the stomach. 

May 3rd, Samuel Cable, an infant, 6 months old; rickets. 

September 6th, Charles Edwin Godfrey, 6 years, 2 months; 
lingering complaint. 

September 8th, Huldah Dascomb, consumption. 

September 24th, Olive Kirtland, lingering complaint; age 68. 

November 24th, Elizabeth Seeley, di-opsy; 62. 

1804. 

February 13th, Esther Parott, 3 years old; worms. 

February 15th, Comfort Strong, plurisey; 65 years. 

February 22nd, Phyllis, Negro girl, 17 years; plurisey. 

March 24th, Anna Burr, aged 35; consumption. 

April 13, Abigail Beers, an infant. 

May 6th, James Hoyt, aged 38; affection of the lungs. 

May 11th, Seth Sturges, aged 68; pneumonia. 

July 5th, the wife of James James, Norwalk; consumption. 
Peter Bulkley, aged 87. 

August 15th, Polly Hubble, wife of Ezra Hubble, childbed 
sickness; aged 29. 

September 1st, Isaac Lewis, aged 70; lingering complaint. 

October 15th, Sarah Glover, aged 57; consumption. 

November 5th, Frances Ann Hawley, aged 3 years; dropsy 
in the head. Sarah Strong, aged 33 years, consumption. 

November 26th, Sarah Jackson, aged 15 years; billious 
fever. 

November 28th, Munson Bangs, 9 years old; collie. 

December, 6th, Bethia Sturges, aged 70; consumption. 



236 APPENDIX I. 

1805. 

January 13th, Sarah Burritt, aged 62; lingering complaint. 

February 22nd, Burr Robertson, infant: fits. 

February 28th, Caleb Norman, 87 years old. 

May 17th, Gorden Seymour Marquand, 3 years. 

May 19th, Benjamin Banks, aged 102. 

July Ist, Harvey Sherman, an infant. 

July 8th, Henry Elijah Hawley, an infant. 

July 14th, Thomas Treadwell, 68 years old, dropsy. 

July 27th, Susan Blackman, 3 years old; whooping cough. 

July 30th, Susan Ketchum, 63 years old; gout in stomach. 

August 14th, Sally Wheeler, 13 years old; billious fever. 

September 8th, Maria Fair weather, 1 year old; worms. 

September 17th, Elizabeth Bulkley, aged 62 years; Hngering 
complaint. 

September 20th, William Hubble, aged 60: collie. 

October 1st, Rebecca Burroughs, aged 6 years: scarlet 
fever. 

December 5th, Nehemiah Buddiugton, aged 70: lingering 
complaint; Frances Ann Hinman, 8 months old. 

1806. 

Januai'y 7th, Reuaimah Bradley, aged 79. 

April 2nd, William Pike, aged 65: suddenly. 

April 10th, Sidney Sturges, aged 7; worms. 

July 23rd, Reuben Beers, aged 66; inebriation. 

October 10th, Sally Godfrey, aged 15 years: billious fever. 

November 6th, Samuel Cable, aged 73 years; felon. 

November 22nd, Rebecca Wheeler, aged 67 years: billious 

fever. 

1807. 

January 1st, David Bears, aged 7: lingering complaint. . 

January 31st, Ann Stilson, aged 61: in fits. 

May 5th, Sarah Guyer, aged 88 years. 

May 13th, Nathaniel Sherwood, aged 20: Nichols Lacey, 
11 years old, both drowned and buried together. 



APPENDIX I. 237 

May 14th, Philo Nichols, Esq., 80 years old. 
May 20th, Sarah Hoyt, aged 74: lingering complaint. 
June 17th, Phillys, wife to Quam, apoplectic fit. 
July 15th, James Beach, aged 28 years; consumption. 
July 23rd, Jane, black woman; aged 58 years. 
September Ist, Samuel Darling, consumption, aged 53. 

1808. 
January 13th, an infant of William Barritts; Amy Sherman, 
plurisey; aged 50. 

January 19th, Charity Hinman, consumption; aged 40. 
January 29th, Hellen French, infant. 
March 16th, Amarilla Nichols, infant. 
March 21st, Samuel Brinsmade, chronical; aged 58. 
May 10th, David Beers, aged 91 years. 
May 20th, William Burr, aged 33 years; consumption. 
September 2nd, William Bulkley, yellow fever; aged 40. 
November 11th, Lewis Cannon, apoplectic fit, aged 4 years; 
Norwalk. 

1809. 
February 21st, Edri Allen, cancer; 74 years old. 
February 24th, Dimon Bears, an infant. 
March 25th, Benjamin Meeker, 75 years; plurisey. 
July 13th, Elizabeth Goodsel, 65 years; lingering complaint. 
October 11th, Jerusia Tongue, 80 years; cancer. 
December 19th, an infant of Curtis Blackman. 
December 25th, Hezekiah Wheeler, aged 78. 

1810. 
March 5th, Polly Stone, consumption; aged 57. 
March 8th, Nehemiah Allen, aged 81 years. 
March 15th, Jonathan Coley, aged 93 years. 
March 17th, Mrs. Bouton, aged 76 years. 
April 5th, Theodore Allen, infant. 
April 15th, George Mills, infant; whooping cough. 
May 1st, Rebecca Nichols, old age; 86 years. 
June 3rd, Caroline Blackman, aged 6 years; hiccough. 



^38 APPENDIX I. 

August 11th, Eben Nichols, aged 68 years: consumption. 

August 23rd, David Sherman, 53 years old; chronical 
complaint. 

October 25th, Hebsebah Burr, aged 78 years. 

November 4th, Jonathan Smith, aged 73 years; fit. 

November 11th, Mary Sturges, aged 72; cancer. 

December 7th, Jenny, a black woman, 23 years; con- 
sumption. 

December 10th, Beulah Smith, aged 70 years. 

1811. 

January 2nd, Widow Sprague, aged 82 years. 

January 4th, Elijah Daniel Shelton, typhus fever, 37 years. 

March 21st Seth Sturges, 45 years; plurisey. 

April 9th, Hannah Downs, 70; plurisey. 

May 10th, Mary Nichols, aged 77 years; billious. 

May 30th, Clarine Meeker, aged 2 years; rickets. 

July 18th, David Sherwood, 48 Years old; scirrhus liver. 

July 29th, Frederic Wakeman, 2 years old; canker. 

August 11th, Elizabeth Peet, aged 6 days. Mary Bears, 
aged 55 years, consumption. 

September 19th, James Beaty, aged 86 years. 

October 12th, Mr. Samuel Fitch, of Wilton, aged 85 years. 

November 18th, Hannah Street, suddenly, aged 23 years; 
Nor walk. 

December 6th, Job Lockwood, suddenly; inflamation on the 
brain, Norfield, aged 47 years. 

December 26th, Lucy Smith, aged 80 years; plurisey. 

1812. 
January 21st, Seth Seeley, aged 78 years; consumption. 
March 19th, Lydia Squire, aged 76 years. 
March 30th, an infant. 

March 31st, Lucy Bulkley, aged 8 years ; dropsy in the 
head. 

April 8rd, Horace Gregory, aged 20 months. 



APPENDIX I. 239 

May 11th, Ann Mary Goodwin, aged 5 years, dropsy in the 
head. 

May 20th, Mary Lake, aged near 70 years, numb palsy. 

June 9th, Hannah, of color, consumption ; 18 years old. 

July 10th, Elizabeth Huntington Nichols, 3 years old ; 
dropsy in the head. 

August 7th, Timothy Hubble, aged 80 ; apoplectic fit. 

August 11th, Elnathan Seeley, aged 70 ; Eheumatism. 

September 9th, Marinda Nichols, 2 years old ; dysentery. 

September 23rd, Mahitable Shelton, aged 71 years. 

November 30th, Elijah Blackman, 67 years old; found 
dead in his bed. 

December 29th, Eliakins "Walker, aged 73 years ; nervous 
fever. 

December 31st, Nathaniel Tredwell, aged 40 ; pulmonic 
complaint. 

1813. 

January 7th, Moses Hull, aged 60 ; plurisey. 

January 28th, Avis Baldwin, aged 67 years ; apoplectic fit. 

January 31st, David Nichols, aged 67 years ; spotted fever. 

February 2nd, Mrs. Goodwin, Trumbull, consumption ; 58. 

March 2nd, Nabby Robertson, consumption ; aged 46 years 

March 4th, an infant of Ephriam Knapp, 10 months old. 

June 7th, Jonathan Bears, aged 54 years ; epidemic. 

June 12th, Aaron Bears, aged 54 years ; epidemic. 

July 24th, Larissa Edwards, aged 77; billions complaint. 

August 18th, Abigail Miller, aged 30 years ; consumption. 

August 21st, Phoebe Peet, wife of Silas Peet, aged 48 ; con- 
sumption. 

September 2nd, Samuel Bears, aged 69 years ; Scirrhous 
liver. 

October 1st, Sarah Bears, aged 44 years ; consumption. 

October 7th, Abigail "NVhitear, 72 years ; lingering com- 
plaint. 

October 8th, William Judd, aged 3 years ; dysentary. 



240 APPENDIX I. 

October 11, Nichols, aged 35, dyseutery ; an infant of 
Samuel Wakeman, dysentery. 

October 19th, Rowland Robertson, 17 years old ; swelling 
throat. 

December 5th, John Porter, aged 48 years ; apoplectic fit. 

December 9th, Jesse Burr, aged 58 years ; consumption. 

December 13th, Samuel Dimon, aged 50 years ; consumption. 

1814. 

February 19th, Aaron B. Bradley, sore leg ; 45 years. 

March 19th, Sarah Wakeman, aged 74 years. 

June 3rd, Sarah Ann Brewster, aged 18 months ; the 
croop. 

August 24th, Aaron Burr, aged 57 years : fits, epileptic. 

September 16th, Jane Roe, 90 years of age. 

September 26th, Horatio Tisdale, typhus fever ; aged 27 
years. 

1815. 

March 6th, Hester Wills, aged 95 years. 

March 16th, Roman, a man of color ; aged 75 years. 

April 9th, Jane Hanford, consumption ; aged 46 years. 

May 28th, Sarah Burritt, typhus fever, aged 44 years. 

June 14th, Abigail Burr, Weston ; aged 74 years. 

June 21st, Julia Jackson, lockjaw ; aged 11 years. 

September 4th, Catherine Nichols, wife to R. Nichols ; 47 
years. 

September 13th, Abigail Beers, aged 90 years ; Fairfield. 

September 15th, Adeline Hubble, aged 7 years, dropsy in 
the head. 

October 13th, Elijah Hawley, dysentery ; aged 78 years. 

October 26th, Harvey Page, consumption ; aged 32 years. 

October 30th, Jane Bartram, influenza ; aged 18 months. 

November Ist, Maria Middlebrook, aged 18 months, 
dysentery. 

November 2nd William Middlebrook, aged 6 years ; 
dysentery. 



APPENDIX I. 241 

November 12th, Jane Bulkley, aged 76 years. 

1816. 

January 1st, Ann Keeler, aged 63 years ; influenza. 

March 28th, Susan Blake, one year and 8 months old ; fits. 

April 4th, Joseph S. Edwards, 40 years ; consumption. 

April 10th, Ruth Nichols, aged 13 years; disorder in the 
head. 

June 17th, Horace Sherwood, 5 years old ; drowned. 

June 27th, Mrs. Langford, aged 65 years ; in a fit. 

July 3rd, Charity Mills, aged 34 ; childbed sickness. 

July 8th, Sarah Sherwood, aged 87 ; old age. 

August 31st, Charles Babbet, aged 4 years ; burned to 
death. 

August 17th, Sarah Sherwood, aged 45 ; derangement of 
the mind. 

November 11th, Willis Sherwood, aged 30 years; dropsy in 
the head. 

December 12th, Toby Adanna, black man ; aged 77 years. 

December 18th, Daniel Meeker, apoplectic fit; 69 years old. 

1817. 

January 7th, Isaac Hinman, a scirrhous stomach; aged 54 
years. 

March 6th, Hannah Bulkley, aged 77 years ; fits of numb 
palsy. 

April 11th, Penniah Brinsmade, aged 70 ; influenza. 

May 8th, John Barnham Beach, aged 3 years old ; croup. 

June 26th, Samuel Cable, aged 50 years ; drowned in the 
harbor of Bridgeport. 

July 27th, Mary Ann Sturges, aged 4 years, dropsy in the 
head. 

August 14th, Louisa Grant, black child, 10 months old; 
died in a fit. 

August 15th, Sam, a man of color, aged 73 years ; dropsy. 

August 19th, Abijah Mansfield, consumption ; aged 54 
years. 



242 



APPENDIX I. 



August 30th, Polly Meeker, consumption ; aged 26 years. 
Joseph Bulkley, an infant, one day old. 

1818. 

February 2nd, Joshua Jinnings, aged 90 years. 

February 17th, Comfort Burritt, aged 39 years. 

March 9th, Charity Bradley, 26 years old ; consumption. 

April 4:th, Caroline Bulkley, aged 5 years ; inflammation of the 
bowels. 

April 16th, John Scovil, aged 9 years old ; dropsy in the 
head. Rosannah Seely, consumption, woman of color ; aged 
28 years. 

June 2nd, Samuel Sampler, an infant one year old. 

July 19th, Samuel Allen, aged 35 years, the effects of a fit. 

August 1st, Ichabod Burr, aged 82 years ; old age. 

August 28th, James B. Minot, aged 20 years ; typhus fever. 

September 11th, Betsey Balton, aged 24 years ; typhus 
fever. 

September 19th, an infant of Henry Bolston, 4 months old. 

September 26th, Abigail Robertson, aged 76 years ; old age. 

September 30th, an infant of David Nichols. 

November 16th, Hezekiah Bradley, aged 83 years old. 

November 22nd, Joseph French, infant ; the croup. 

December 4th, Hannah Pann, Indian, sickness ; 47 years 
old. 

1819. 

January 1st, Rebecca Jinnings Sherwood, an infant. 

January 7th, Samuel Goodsell, infant, 3 days old ; with the 
croup. 

January 10th, Jerusia Middlebrook, aged 43 years ; typhus 
fever. 

January 28th, Amelia Dickerson, aged 28 ; ulcerated lungs. 

February 3rd, Lydia Patch, lingering complaint ; aged 28. 

February 14th, Christopher Kibbee Allicoke, aged 68 years. 

February 21st, Eliza Fairweather, aged 13 years ; dropsy. 



APPENDIX I. 243 

June 23rd, Nathaniel Jennings, aged 67 years ; typhus 
fever. 

June 28th, Abigail Thorp, king evil ; aged 19 years. 

June 29th, Toney, a man of color, dropsy ; aged 35 years. 

July 3rd, Fanny Lyon, aged 18 years ; typhus fever. 

September 20th, Samuel Smith, aged 2^ years, of kick of a 
horse, by which the skull was broken. 

September 29th, Ebenezer Sherman, aged 67 years. 

October 22nd, Rachel Osbouru, aged 35 years; typhus 
fever. 

October 24th, Augusta Hoyt, aged 19 years ; typhus fever. 

October 29th, Samuel Wheeler, aged 59 years ; typhus fever. 

1820. 

March 1st, Phyllis Burroughs, a woman of color ; aged 80. 
Daniel Porter Cable, aged 4 years ; dropsy in the head. 

May 12th, Darius Fulsom, aged 77 years ; old age. 

May 18th, Eunice Pendleton, aged 60 years; consumption. 

June 20th, Sylvester Robertson, an infant, 9 months old ; 
inflammation of the brain. 

September 4th, Sarah Burr, aged 81 years old ; pneumonia. 

September 16th, James Fairweather, aged 46 years ; typhus 
fever. 

September 26th, Nehemiah Allen, typhus fever ; 34 years. 

September 29th, Thomas Elwood, dysentery ; aged 67 
years. 

September 30th, Jabez Jinnings, typhus fever ; aged 26 
years. 

October 3rd, Hannah Morehouse, aged 79 years. 

October 6th, David Barlow, numb palsy ; 59 years old. 

October 8th, Grace Bobbins, typhus fever ; aged 52 years. 

October 24th, Susan Cable, aged 16 months ; teething. 

November 1st, Amelia Robbins, typhus fever ; aged 23 
years. 

December 13th, Eunice Wakeman, aged 74 years ; apo- 
plectic fit. 



244 APPENDIX I. 

December 31st, Ebenezer Booth, aged 48 years ; typhus 
fever. 

1821. 

January 15th, Wheeler Sherman, Esq., aged 46 years ; 
pulmonic complaint. 

February 15th, John Peet, aged 67 years ; pulmonic com- 
plaint. 

April 5th, Sarah L. Nichols, aged 32 ; consumption. 

May 23rcl, Peter Oakley, consumption ; 22 years. 

July 9th, Jane Green, consumption ; aged 27 years. 

July 18th, EUphalet Hill, broken thigh ; 94 years old. 

August 29th, Ann Hollins, colic ; aged 76 years. 

September 25, Fanny Andrews, childbed sickness; 23 years 
old. 

October 5th, an infant son of the above. 

October 15th, Elihu Bulkley, yellow fever ; 17 years old. 

October 30th, Johathan Mallory, the gravel ; 77 years old. 

1822. 

January 22nd, Benjamin Kobertson, consumption ; aged 
24 years. 

February 22nd, Ann Mallory, inflammation of the lungs ; 76 
years. 

March 5th, Sarah Clark, dropsy ; aged 37 years. 

April 1st, Samuel Hitchcock, an infant 3 days old ; fits. 

April 12th, Sarah Whitmore, aged 64 years ; pulmonic 
complaint. 

April 28th, Lawrence Burril, infant, 2 months old ; fits. 

June 2nd, Presilla Robbins, aged 27 years ; fever. 

July 1st, Josiah Master, aged 58 years ; paralectic fits. 

July 8th, Edgar Hubbell, aged 3 weeks ; whoopiug cough. 

August 12th, Betsey Page, aged 11 years ; with ulcers. 

August 29th, Eliphalet Sheffield, aged 33 years ; pulmonic 
complaint. 

September 4th, Daniel VVheelar ; aged 77 years ; numb 
palsy. 



APPENDIX I. 245 

September 5th, Mary Nieolclinch, aged 10 months ; con- 
vulsions, fits. 

September 9th, Thomas Holbertson, aged 83 years ; diarcast. 

September 11th, an infant 4 months old, Samuel Peet's. 
Thomas Green, 33 years old ; typhus fever. 

September 25th, Dr. Hargaer, 30 years of age ; billious 
fever. 

October 14th, Abigail O. Banks, aged 59 years ; typhus 
fever. 

October 21st, Frances Matilda Benjamin, aged 16 months. 

October 24th, Ebenezer Sherman, aged 70 years ; apo- 
plectic fit. 

December 15th, Henry Burr, aged 32 years ; typhus fever. 

December 27th, Ann Bradley, aged 84 years. 

1823. 

January 19th, Elizabeth T. Seeley, 39 years ; typhus fever. 

February 15th, Sarah Sturges, aged 45 years ; consumption. 

March 24th, Munson Turney, aged 12 years ; fits. 

May 7th, Harriot Lewis Dimon, aged 3 years ; burned, by 
getting her clothes on fire. 

June 7th, Persilla Beers, aged 7 years ; dropsy in the head. 

July 18th, William Robertson, aged 31 years ; consumption. 

September 6th, Delia Booth, aged 17 years, typhus fever. 

October 7th, Mrs. Epinetus Curtis, aged 27 years ; con- 
sumption. 

October 22nd, Emeline French, aged 3 years ; croup. 

October 23rd, Joseph Nichols, aged 42 years ; consumption. 

October 29th, Henry Nichols Clark, aged 15 years, typhus 
fever. 

October 14th, Theodosius Allen, 3 months old ; con- 
sumption. 

November 6th, Sophia Augusta Tisdale, 14 months old; 
consumption. 

December 6th, Epinetus Curtis, 38 years old ; typhus fever. 



246 APPENDIX I. 

December 18th, Ephriam Robbing, aged 84 years old ; apo- 
plectic fit. 

December 19th, Hannah Brooks, aged 41 years ; pulmonic 
complaint. 

December 22, Benand French, aged 85 years ; old age. 

December 26th, Ansel Trubee, aged 78 years : apoplectic fit. 

1824. 

April 1st, Salina Tredwell, aged 28 years old ; suicide 
melancholy. 

May 11th, Mahitable, Beers, aged 71 years. 

July 4th, Benjamin Sherwood, aged 64 ; drowned in a well. 

August 31st, Sarah Nichols, aged 82 years ; old age. 

September 16th, Mabel Hopkins, aged 53 years ; suddenly. 

September 20th, Mary D. Beers ; aged 14 years ; con- 
sumption. John Robertson Sherwood, infant. 

October 12th, Francis Edgar Warden, 4 years old. 

October 10th, Betsey Bulkley, aged 74 years. 



APPENDIX I. 247 



APPENDIX I. 



A LIST OF THE BANS OF MARPvIAGE. 

1785. 
November 24th, Barack Taylor to Abigail Jackson; William 
Peet to Jemimiah Darrow; John Porter to Lucy Whelar. 

1787. 
January 1st, Lyman Meeker to Rebecca Taylor. 
February 26th, Ebenezer Mills, Jr., to Lois Bates. 
July 23rd, Calvin Whelar, Jr., to Hannah Banns; Daniel 
Coley to Olive Cable. 

November 22nd, Philemon Sherwood to Hepsebah Burr. 
December 17th, Samuel Sanford to Rheuamah Wheeler. 

1788. 
January 28th, Robert Lyon to Rebecca Hubble. 
March 4th, John Lester to Arner Shelton. 
September 11th, Samuel Penfield to Hannah Hoyt. 
September 20th, John Perry to Lois Whelar. 
October 1st, Job Perry to Sarah Sturges. 

1789. 
September 20th, David Bears to Mary Grey. 
November 1st, David Barlow to Lucy Sherwood. 

1790. 
June 6th, Thadeus Gilbert to Huldah Whelar; John Jack- 
son, Jr., to Jemimah Seely. 
November 14th, Rev. Abraham L. Clarke to Sally Nichols. 



248 APPENDIX I. 

1791. 
January 23rd, Daniel Lyon to Mable Grey. 
February 6th, John Samuel Cannon to Hannah Nichols. 
March 31st, Stephen Whelar to Persena Hendrive. 
October 2nd, Ebenezer Wakeley Bulkley to Hannah Davis. 
November 7th, George Hoyt to Deborah Sturges. 
November 24th, Stephen Lyon to Clocy Jackson. 

1792. 
January 25th, Jacob Grey to Susan Thorp. 
May 24th, Ebenezer Gould to Eleanor Whelar. 
September 2nd, Ephriam Bobbins to Grace Whitney. 

1794. 
January 27th, Asa Chambers to Elizabeth Clayford. 
May 3rd, Samuel Dim on to Sarah Sherwood. 
August 4th, Lyman Whitney to Mable Whelar. 

1795. 
February 21st, David Nichols to Eunice Gilbert. 
April 1st, Samuel Stephens to Anna Polly Creha Gillet. 
April 9th, Jesse Dimon to Bethiah Marquand. 
October 13th, Ebenezer Booth to Comfort Smith. 
November 15th, Thomas Holbertson to Bathshebah Peet. 
December 24th, Peter Uuderhill to Adria Allen. 

1796. 
February 14th, Andrew Winton Thorp to Susannah Thorp. 
March 27th, Ezra Knap to Eunice Trubee. 
April 18th, Amos Burr to Abby Shelton. 
July 2nd, William Parrott to Kuth Allen. 
July 3rd, Baley Foot to Jerusiah Glover. 
October 24th, Ephriam Whelar Sherman to Anna Burritt. 
November 6th, Joel Goodsel to Polly Kirtland. 

1797. 
March 5th, Stephen Summers to Betsey Young. 
March 16th, James Fairweather to Mercy Burritt. 
April 9th, Gersham Bulkley to Hannah Piatt. 
April 29th, Seth Wakeman to Sarah Bennett. 



APPENDIX I. 249 

July 9th, John Patchen to Esther Bulkley. 
August 19th, Lazarus Beach to Polly Hall. 
September 10th, Jacob White to Polly Burr. 
October 15th, Zaltnon Pullen to Molly Olmstead. 
November ]6th, Nathaniel Eils to Hannah Penfield. 
December 17th, Thomas L. Colyer to Catherine Hawley. 
December 31st, Augustus Pulling to Molly Williams. 

1798. 
January 7th, Daniel Manrow to Eunice Downing. 
January 11th, Thomas L. Colyer to Sarah Holms. 
April 10th, Enoch Sanford to Lucy Chance}'. 
April 19th, Samuel French to Fanny Holbertson; David 
Mynott to Sarah Smith. 

July 5th, Frederick Walthar to Charity French. 
August 12th, Samuel Sturges to Sarah Sherwood. 
September 30th, William Allen to Polly Nichols. 
October 18th, Isaac Seeley to Sarah Nichols. 
October 28th, Isaac Tomlinson to Polly Ann Curtiss. 
November 1st, William Cable to Polly French. 
December 29th, Sterling Sherman to Anna Kirtland. 

1799. 
January 9th, Beach Tomlinson to Anna Hard. 
February 17th, Abel Bradley to Sybel Wheeler. 
June 2nd, Ezra Porter to Lucy Beach. 
June 16th, Jabez Lockwood to Mary Sanford. 
September 21st, James Leeworthy, to Betsey Whitting. 
December 21st, Joseph Thompson to Peninah Seeley. 

1800. 
January 12th, Obediah Piatt to Elizabeth Hawley. 
March 16th, Noah Grey to Rebecca Nichols. 
April 20th, Elijah Beardsley to Johanna Lyon. 
November 6th, Eliphalet W. Thoi-p to Abigail Dimon. 
November 22nd, Eleazer Edgerton to Patience Wheeler. 

1801. 
January 25th, Samuel Hawley to Pheobe Burritt. 



250 APPENDIX I. 

September 23rd James Sellers to Lucy Ann Sanford. 
November 25th, Levi Summers to Molly Sherman. 

1802. 
January 1st, William Goodsel to Prudence Nichols. 
February 17th, John Fi-ench to Polly Wheelar. 
April 11th, Jonathan Baker to Elizabeth Culver. 
April 21st, Israel Blackman to Polly Vaughan. 
May 27th, Abijah Wakeman to Polly Bulkley. 
June 6th, George Miller to Abigail Wheelar. 
October 20th, Samuel Cable, Jr., to Mary French. 
October 21st, Elihu Johnson to Polly Sealey. 
November 9th, William Con. to Betsey Thorp. 
November 9th, Stephen Osborn to Rachel Bulkley. 
December 6th, Levi Hubble to Susan Allen. 

1803. 
September 8th, John Maltbey to Rachel Mason. 
December 4th, Abel Nichols to Courance Glover. 

1804. 
January 4th, Nathan Burr to Sally Burr. 
January 8th, Hill Meeker to Charity Sherwood. 
February 12th, Joseph S. Edwards to Elizabeth Burroughs. 
March 6th, Nathan Perry to Sally French. 
March 8th, Daniel Fairweather to Betsey Smith. 
April 10th, Rev. Henry Whitlock to Eulalia Bartram. 
April 26th, Abijah Shelton to Lydia Kirtland. 
May 1st, Silas Shelton to Hanuah Burritt. 
September 30th, Richard Fernan to Sally Wakeman. 
November 4th, Daniel Bryant Glover to Eunice Wilson. 
December 30th, William French to Elizabeth Crofut. 

1805. 
March 7th, John Vaughan to Betsey Burr. 
March 17th, Isaac Perry to Prissilla Grey. 
April 17th, David Osborn to Rebecca Sturges. 
April 28th, Samuel Kirtland to Harriet Bostwick. 
July 25th, Hezekiah Bradley to Ann Sherwood. 



APPENDIX I. 251 

October Srd, Samuel Porter to Eleanor Sherman. 
October 6th, Jemme Jaynes to Catherine Comestock. 
October 13th, Samuel Wakeman to Druscilla Nichols. 
October 19th, Ira Peck to Sally Kirtland. 
October 27tb, Ezra Hawley to Charity Burr. 
November 27th, Sellick Bradley to Anna Burr. 

1806. 
January 5th, John Smith to Frances French. 
February 23rd, Seth Wakeman to Clara Nichols. 
March 16th, Elijah Burritt to Sarah Fairchild. 
March 20th, David Trubee to Charlotte Parrot. 
May 1st, Seth Couch to Sally Burr. 
September 11th, Timothy Ripley to Betsey Hubble. 
September 25th, Jesse Banks to Jerusha Sherwood. 
October 26th, Zalmon Wakeman to Claressa Nichols. 
November 13th, Joel Sherwood to Abby Hall. 
November 25th, Jabez Hill to Sarah Nichols. 
November 80th, David Curtiss to Betsey Seeley. 

1807. 
February 15th, James French to Ann Beardsley. 
September 20th, Timothy Baker to Lucretia Burr. 
October 19th, Moses Jinnings to Sarah Putnam. 
November 8th, Joseph Banks to Sally Sherwood. 
November 19th, Jeremiah Sturges to Maria Shelton. 
December 15th, Gideon Tomlinson to Sarah Bradley. 
December 23rd, Azor Osborn to Sally Sturges. 
December 24th, Truman Plumb to Polly Whitney. 

1808. 
January 3rd, Joseph Strong, Esq., to Comfort Burr. 
February 17th, George K. Nichols to Nancy Tomlinson ;. 
Charles T. Nichols to Sarah L. Tomlinson. 
April 3rd, Timothy Banks to Eleanor Ogden. 
June 5th, Ward Bulkley to Mary Beers. 
August 7th> Richard Hyde to Lucy Hinman. 



252 APPENDIX I. 

November 29th, Yale Hough to Polly Hubble. 
December 24th, Abel Beers to Elizabeth Whitney. 
December 31, Abijah Morgan to Charity Cable. 

1809. 
January 5th, David Wayland to Ann Sherman. 
February 12th, Nathan Seeley Meeker to Polly Keeler. 
May 3rd, Charles Bostwick to Catherine Peet. 
June 4th, Isaac Hinman to Hannah Moore ; Levi Hugg to 
Eunice Sturges. 

November 16th, Isaac Jinnings to Esther Wakeman. 
November 29th, Daniel B. Ovitt to Mary Roberts. 
December 10th, William Bradley to Ellen Burr. 

1810. 
Januar}' 15th, David P. Beers to Mary Beei's. 
February 28th, Lewis Burr to Marietta Bradley. 
March 18th, Lewis Goodsel to Anna Squire. 
June 17th, Lewis Wakeman to Ester O. Banks. 
August 15th, Walter Nichols to Charity Banks ; Joseph 
Meeker to Rhoda Nichols. 

September 20th, Benjamin S. Smith to Betsey Kirtland. 
December 30th, Jonathan L. Brewster to Clarisa Bradley. 

1811. 
January 15th, Henderson Benedict to Abigail B. Meeker. 
June 16th, David Jelliff to Polly Pike. 

October 24th, Caleb Beach to Maria Norman. D. Lewis 
Nichols to Lina Silliman. 

December 3rd, Eliada Baldwin to Phebe Wing. 
December 22nd, David Newfirth to Lucy Vorse. 

1812. 

January 5th, Eli Denslow to Caroline Evis. 

January 12th, William Patch, to Lydia Porter. 

February 25th, Elijah Nichols to Clara Banks. 

March 8th, Joseph Prince Shelton to Johannah Smith Hoyt. 

April 12th5 Medad Bradley to Anne Curtis. 



APPENDIX I. 253 

April 27tb, Joseph Bulkley to.Chloe Hubble. 
May lltb, David Roberts to Ann Maria Allen. 
May 27th, Isaac Parrott to Sally Blake. 
September 22nd, Elihu Taylor to Angelina Hall. 
October 22nd, Thomas C. Warden to Nancy Sherwood. 
December 18th, James Bears to Maria Sturges. 
December 31st, Joseph Cable to Priscilla Oysterbanks. 

1813. 
February 21st, Hezekiah S. Bradley to Amelia Burr. 
March 31st, Edward Blackman to Julia Foot. 
April 18th, William Warden to Lucy Mallory. 
August 15th, Joseph Perry to Abigail Bears. 
September I'Jtb, William Robertson to Jerusia T. Osborn. 
October 4th, James Allen to Harriet Hinman. 
October 5th, Munson Hinman to Priscilla Mead. 
November 7th, Edmund Darrow to Eunice Sherwood. 
November 15th, David Taylor to Mary N. Hubble. 
November 21st, Alpheus Brown to Elizabeth Roberts. 
December 27th, Roswell Wells to Marietta Gould. 

1814. 
January 30th, Timothy Pettit to Polly Okie. 
May 9th, Jesse Banks to Sally Dimon. 
January 9th, Rossel Lewis to Fanny Lord. 
August 4th, Joseph B. Hall to Caroline Baker. 
November 20th, Primes to Dolly, people of color. 
December 1st, Stephen Hawley to Temperance Wheeler. 
December 18tb, Abraham Hubble to Amelia Burr. 

1815. 
January 1st, Anson Sherman to Priscilla Hoyt. 
March 8th, George Smith to Betsey Stratten. 
May 14th, Samuel Hill to Eunice Nichols. 
Nay 21st, Justus Butlor to Mary Whitmore. 
November 9th, Samuel Bradley Middlebrook to Margaret 
S. Ricker. 

December 21st, Nichols Burr to Edri Allen. 



■.254 APPENDIX I. 

1816. 
January 14th, Levi T. Downs to Esther Bulkley. 
January 16th, Elijah Burritt to Sarah McClain. 
January 21st, Levy Burr to Anna Darrow. 
February 18th, Joseph Brooks to Hannah King. 
February 25th, Francis Bulkley to Sally B. Morehouse. 
March 14th, Lyman Hull to Sarah Hill. 
June 16th, Levi Perry to Elizabeth Bangs ; $3.00. 
September 2nd, Gersham Hubble to Elmira Booth ; $5.00. 
September 25th, David B. Nichols to Abigail Burr ; $4.00. 
November 30th, Patrick Keeler to Susan Holbertson. 
December 22nd, Ramson B. Seeley to Polly Seeley. 
December 24th, Walter Bulkley to Betsey Smith. 

1817. 
April 16th, Ebcnezer Jackley to Cloe Clemance. 
May 8th, Charles Sherwood to Lois Burr ; $10.00. 
May 29th, Robert Wilson to Sally Sherwood; $5.00. 
June 26th, Samuel Wilmott to Polly Abiaatha ; $5.00. 
September 2nd, Samuel Sturges to Sally Hoyt ; $15.00. 
Joseph Hanford to Jane Fowler. 

1811. 
March 23rd, Andrew Bulkley to Sarah Bears ; $3.00. 
November 26th, Everet Ames to Abby Dayton ; $2.00. 
December, 31st, Thomas C. Bigelow to Amelia Mead ; $2.00. 

1818. 
March 3rd, Joseph W. Davis to Nabby Robertson ; $5.00. 
March 15th, Benjamin Bulkley to Rebecca Davis; $2.00. 
April 30th, Hull Sherwood to Caroline Burr ; $5.00. 
May 7th, Jesup Banks to Laura Sherwood ; $5.12^. 
December 7th, Timothy William to Eleanor Robertson ; 
;$3.00. 

December 23rd, Jesse Studwell to Paulina Beers ; $2.00. 

1819. 
February 13th, James Nelson to Sally Baxter, at Cold 
.Springs; $2.00. 



APPENDIX I. 255 

February 21st, Joseph Brotbwell to Anna Keeler ; $1.60. 
February 24th, William H. Herbert to Ezra Wager ; $1.00. 
June 13th, Joel Slater to Pamelia Lord ; $3.00. 
September 2nd, William Wright to Minerva Peet ; $16.00. 
September 19th, Daniel Foot to Esther Taylor ; $2 00. 
November 15th, Thomas Longworth to Maria Peet ; $5.00. 

1820. 
February 15th, Jesse Burr to Abby O. Banks ; $1.38. 
March 3rd, Henry Morgan to Eunice Gilbert ; $2.00. 
April 6th, Woodard M. Todd to Alvira Booth ; $1.00. 
October 16th, William J. Lane to Pamelia Hubble ; $5.00. 
October 17th, William Cannon to Sally Hinman ; $10.00. 
December 12th, George Stephenson to Jane Sterling; $10.00. 

1821. 

April 8th, George W. Hubble to Mary Ann Foot ; $5.00. 
Abel Hawley to Betsey Nichols ; $8.00. 

October 14th, Samuel B. Ferguson to Sarah H. Parrott, 
$3.00. 

November 29th, David S. Beach to Mercia DeForest ; $5.00. 

1822. 

May 6th, William Sterling to Hannah Hinman ; $15.00. 

May 20th, Francis P. Allen to Susan Hubble; $5.00. 

June 16th, Joseph Bradley to Polly Pann ; $1.00. 

June 23rd, Samuel Jones to Charlotte Peabody ; $5.00. 

November 4th, Terah Benedict to Elizabeth Meriam Booth ; 
$2.20. 

November 26th, Curtis Wildman to Laura Seeley ; $2.00. 

1823. 

January 12th, Andrew Trubee to Sarah Turney; $3.00. 

January 19th, Jonathan Godfrey to Elizabeth Hubble ; 
$3.00. 

March 9th, Joseph Mott to Griselda Burr ; $2.00. 

April 13th, Eussel Green to Miranda Dimon ; $5.00. 

June 29th, Edward Carus to Rebecca Osbourn ; $2 00. 



256 APPENDIX I. 

September 7th, Rufus DeForest to Eunice Turney ; $2.00. 
September 14th, Elias Hod^e to Ruth Ann Dascomb; $3.00. 
September 28th, Jonathan Sturges to Sarah Hull ; $2.00. 
October 19th, Benjamin Sherwood to Sarah Ann Robert- 
son ; $2.00. 

December 7th, Hezekiah Hubble to Mary Turney ; $2.00. 

1822. 
September 5th, Asa B. Beardsley to Flora Tousey ; $4.00. 
November 14th, Charles Thorp to Almira Beers; $5.00. 
December 7th, John Clemond to Pamelia Coggshill ; $1.00. 
December 28th, Henry Scott to Susan Hubble ; $3.00. 



APPENDIX I. 



257 



APPENDIX I. 



A List of the Confirmed. 



September 22nd, 1785. 
Josiah Smith, Sen., 
Josiah Smith, Jr., 
Elijah Burritt, 
Polly Burritt, 
Lucy Shelton, 
Huldah Vandyke, 
Ezra Kirtland, Sen., 
Olive Kirtland, 
Ezra Kirtland, Jr., 
Sarah Kirtland, 
Zebulon Kirtland, 
Elizabeth Kirtland, 
Widow Clayford, 
Sarah Hoyt Sen., 
Hannah Hoyt, 
Jesse Brown, and his wife. 



Stratfield. 

Amos Beardsley, 

Samuel Whelar, 

William Peet, 

Hepsebah Burr, Sen., 

Elijah Burr, 

John Burr, 

Huldah Burr, 

Comfort Burr, 

Hepsebah Burr, Jr., 

Ozias Burr, 

Sarah Burr, Sen., 

Eebecca Burr, 

Charity Burr, 

Mrs. Anna Chauucey, 

Mrs. Squire, 

Capt. Thomas Holbertson, 

Tabatha Wakel,y 



Hannah Brown, 

Jonathan Baker, and his wife, Sarah Forgue, 

Nehemiah Allen, and wife, Mrs. Whitier, 

Hannah Allen, Sen., 

Hannah Allen, Jr., 

Hezekiah Wheeler, 

Lucy Whelar, 



Reuben Bears, and wife, 
Nathaniel Perry, and wife, 

Eunice, 
John Perry, 



Wilson Whelar. 



Joshua Jinnings, 



258 



APPENDIX I. 



Hezekiah Bulkley, 
Stephen Adams, 
Lemuel Bangs, and wife, 
"Widow Lacey, 
"Widow Cable, 
James Knapp, and wife. 
Comfort Strong, 
Charity Cable, 
Anna Cable, 
Samuel Cable, 
David Sherwood, 
Anna Sherwood, 

September 16th, 1789. 
Ezra Winton, 
Hezekiah Meeker, 
Anna Meeker, 
Samuel Edwards, 
Jean Edwards, 
Naomi Grey, 
John Holbertson, 
Amos Burr, 

October 15th, 1791. 
Jerusha Booth, 
Joseph Booth, 
Sarah Booth, 
Ransom Clarke, his wife, 

nephew, and niece, 
Sarah Bangs, 
James Allen, 
Justus Allen, 
Adra Allen, 

October 21st. 1798. 
Lucy Shelton, 
Joseph P. Shelton, 



Leatnon Sherwood, 
Lucy Sherwood, 
Samuel Brinsmaid, 
Peninah Brinsmaid, 
Dr. William Little, 
The wife of Dr. Quinlan, 
James French, and wife, 
Ruel Grey, 
Robert Dascomb, 
Anna Nichols, 
The wife of Michael Sealy, 
John Beardsley. 

Justus Burr, 
Charles Nichols, 
Daniel Burritt, 
Anna Burritt, 
Rebecca Whelar, 
Jonathan Smith, 
Sarah Smith, 
David Sherwood, Jr. 

Jemimah Peet, 
Hannah Burritt, 
Comfort Burritt, 
Comfort Smith, 
Ozias Burr, Jr., 

Smith, 

Grey, 

Grey. 



David Burr, 
George Nichols, 



APPENDIX I. 



259 



Elizabeth Hoyt, 

Hetty L. Clark, 

Phebe Burritt, 

Isaac Sealey, and his wife, 

Sarah, 
Peninah Seeley, 
Polly Seeley, 
Eliza Hull, 
Sarah Hull, 
Susannah Allen, 

October 18th, 1798. At Fairfield. 
Isaac Marquand, and his Lovel Bulkle}', and his 



Ann Baker. 
Ellice Lynus, 
Mary Lynus, 
Lucy Beach, 
Anna Kirtland, 
Charity Hinman, 
Lucy Sanford, 
Sally Sylick, 
Huldah Dascomb. 



wife, Mable, 
Seth Sturges, Jr., and his 

wife, 
Sally Burroughs, 
Hill Meeker, 
•Clarry Meeker, 
"Widow Bulkley, and her 

daughter, 
Sally Bulkley, 
Jane Bulkley, 
Rachel Bulkley, 
William Bulkley, 

May 29th, 1803. 
Sally Whetmore, 
Maria Shelton, 
Sally Burr, 
Phebe Lewis, 
Elizabeth Smith, 
Catherine Peet, 
Maria Burroughs, 

August 5th, 1804 
Josiah Bulkley, 
Francis Bulkley, 



brother Peter, 
Betsey Albert, 
Polly Bulkley, 
Sally Trubee, 
David Trubee, 
David Jinuings, 
William Pike, and his wife, 
Ephriam Bobbins, 
Aaron Beers, 
Widow Robertson, 
A sister of Reuben Bears. 



At Bridgeport. 

Maria Peet, 
Lydia Kirtland, 
Sally Kirtland, 
Polly Roberts, 
Sarah Fairchild, 
Polly Burr, 
Sally Mason. 
At Fairfield. 

Esther Bulkley, 
Lucv Hinman, 



260 



APPENDIX I. 



Susannah Smith, 
Rebecca Sturges, 
Betsey Whitney, 
Priscilla Beers, 
Abigail Bears, 
Polly Bears, 

September 29th. 



Nabby Robertson, 
Eunice Robertson, 
Abby Hall, 
Ruth Bulkley, 
Eunice Sturges, 
Polly Pikes. 

At Weston. 

Gilbert, Reading, 

Anna Burr. 

Fairfield. Persons confirmed by 



Robert Downs, and his wife, 
Dr. Beard, Reading, 

August 80th, 1808. 
Bishop Jarvis. 
Samuel Sturges, and wife. 
Sturges Nichols, 
The wife of Joseph Perrj', 

and son, 
Joseph and Samuel Perry, 
Betsey and Anna Beers, 

daughters of Joseph Beers, 
Abel and Polly Beers, 
Nathan Beers, 
Maria Sturges, 
Betsey Sprague, 
Daughter of Elnathan Smith, 
Mary Sturges, 
Walter Sherwood, and wife, 
Joseph Banks, and wife, 
Reuben Sherwood Jr., 
Abby Sherwood, 
Hull Sherwood, 
Benjamin Sherwood, and wife, Morehouse Bulkley, and wife, 

and daughter Eunice, Samuel Bears. 

Bridgeport, September 18th, 1807. 
Philo N. Shelton, Ann Sherwood, 

Henrietta Shelton, Charles Sherwood, 



Wife of Alexander Nichols, 

John Patchen, 

William Wheeler, 

The wife of James Redfield, 

Samuel Nichols, 

Charlotte Bulkley, 

Wife of Benjamin Darrow, 

Wife of Thomas Smith, 

William and sister, Mathea 

Bulkley, 
AVidow Bangs, 
The wife of Joseph Perry, 
Charlotte Pike, 
Moses Jinniugs, 
John Robertson, 
Jeremiah Sturges, 
Anna Redfield, 
Mary Sturges, 



APPENDIX I. 



261 



Elizabeth Burr, 
Vinea Wheeler, 
Edmund Darrow, 
Richard Hyde, 
Harriot Hinman, 
Amelia Dickerson, 
Ann Lyuus, 
Nathaniel Lynus, 
Harriot Kirtland, 
Lucy Mallory, 
Sally Hoyt, 
Margaret Young, 
Rachel Maltbee, 

November 17th, 1811. 
Juila Wheeler, wife of 

Samuel Wheeler, 
Eliza and Temperance 

Wheeler, 
Liydia Porter, 

September 22nd, 1809. 



David Curtis, 

Lucy Bradley', 

Nehemiah Allen, 

Samuel Brinsmaid Allen, 

James Allen, 

Ruth Parrott, 

Phebe Wing, 

Ann Maria Allen, 

Emmy Bears, 

Maria Bears, 

Esther Bliss, 

W^ife of William Robertson. 



Mrs. Mallory, 
Polly Goodsel, 
Henry Shelton, 
Eunice Young, 
Sally Parrott. 

Weston. Confirmed this day by 



the Right Rev. Bishop Jarvis, the following persons : 
The wife of Gould Bradley, Samuel Wakeman, 



Joseph Winton, 
Charles Winton, 
Sarah Winton, 
Robert Mills, 
Mrs. Jane Oakley, 
W^idow Robertson, 
Lyman Wakeman, 



Esther Wakeman, 
Gould Nichols, 
Dr. Uriah Parrock, 
Nathan Jackson, 
Turney Foot, 
Ruamia Nichols, 
Esther Oysterbanks. 

August 12th, 1817. Fairfield. Persons confirmed by the 
Right Rev. Bishop Hobart : 
Thankful Sturges, Eunice Beers, 

Ellen Sherwood, Paulina Beers, 

Priscilla Bobbins, Eunice Bulkley, 



262 



APPENDIX I. 



Elizabeth Hubble, 

Stephen Osbourn, Jr., 

Abel Ogden, aud wife, Betsey, 

Louisa Robertson, 

Mrs. Moses Jinnings, 

Eliza Bangs, 

Polly Bulkley, 

Chasideck Kinner, 

Nan. Persons, 

Morris Sturges, 

Mrs. Sheffield, 

Noah Pike, 



Julia Pike, 
Sally Darrow, 
Mehitable Beers, 
Sturges Ogden, 
Parmela Bobbins, 
Albert Lockwood, 
Charity Lockwood, 
Lydia Wood, 
Minerva Peet, 
Mrs. Nathaniel JinningSy 

Jones, 

Lyman. 



Bridgeport, November 17th, 1811. 

Mary Hoyt, Sophia Hoyt, 

Priscilla Hoyt, Sarah Nichols, wife of 

George Peet, Charles N., 

Isaac and Rebecca Burroughs, Maria Nichols, 

Polly, wife of Jonah Prindle, Clarissa Lynus. 
Harvey Page, and bis wife. 



February 18th, 1816, 

Jonathan Mallory, 
Caroline Burr, 
Lois Burr, 
Philo Burr, 
Jesse Scovil, 
Laura Sherwood, 
William Patch, 
Betsey Smith, 
Mrs. Blake, 
Capt. David Mynott, 
James Mynott, 
Isaac Hinmau, 
Hannah Hinman, 



in Bridgeport. 

Sally Hinman, 

Sally Burr, 

Wheeler Sherman, 

Maria Sherman, 

James Weeks, 

Phebe Weeks, 

Matilda Wheeler, 

Lieut Munson Hitchcock^ 

James Beers, 

William Sherwood, 

Henry Peet, 

Julia Ann Wheeler, 

Curtis Blakeman, 



APPENDIX I. 



263 



Lavinia Blakeman, 
Laui'a Hubble, 
Parmela Hubble, 
Esther Woolsey, 
Allen Parrott, 
Mary Ann Parrott, 
Priscilla Hinman, 
Charles Foot, 
Philips P. Porter, 
Calden Clarke, 
Alonzo Cable, 
Kossel Cable, 

December 5th, 1819. Bridgeport. 
Right Rev. Bishop Brownell. 



Mrs. Clark, 
Prudence Goodsel, 
Hannah Allen, 
Edria Burr, 
Mrs. Keeler. 
Maria French, 
Catherine Middlebrook, 
Sally McLane, 
John French, 
Polly French, 
Harriot French. 



Confirmed by the 



Margaret Shelton, 
John Burr, 
Rebecca Burr, 
Sally Sherwood, 
Mr. Sample, 
Mrs. Sample, 
Bradley Middlebrook, 
Mary Middlebrook, 
Maria Washbourn, 
David Minott, 
David Roberts, 
Benjamin Brooks, 
Harriot Brooks, 
Betsey Porter, 

September 28th, 1820. 
firmed by Bishop Brownell. 
Matilda Jarvis, 
Almira Beers, 
Abigail Jane Ogden, 
Abigail Jane Mills, 



Wife of Capt. L. Hitchcock, 
Shelden Smith, and his wife, 
George Smith, and wife 

Betsey, 
Susannah Servil, 
Sophia Crittenton, 
Mrs. Gorum, 
Philip Cannon, 
Henry Allen, 
Minerva Booth, 
Mrs. Samuel Stratten, 
Daniel Clifford, 
Mrs. George Cook. 

Fairfield Church. Persons con- 
Mary Osbouru, 
Mary Smith, 
Catherine Bulkley, 
Harriot Hubble, 



264 



APPENDIX I. 



Mrs. Cloey Bulkley, 
Mrs. Sally Beers, 
Samuel Hubble, 
George Augustus Shelton, 
Charles Downs, 
Alansou Osborn. 



Sally Ann Jennings, 
Sarah Ann Robertson, 
Hetty Jane Osborn, 
Julia Ann Meeker, 
Catherine Kennedy, 
Priscilla Bulkley, 

June 29th, 1823. 
Azor Osbourn, 
Joel Burr Bulkley, 
Oren Nichols, 
Morris Sturges, 
Samuel Sturges, Jr., 
Benjamin Sherwood, Jr., 
Judson Nichols, 

July 7th, 1824. 
Stephen Beers, and his wife, 
Capt. David Sturges, and 

his daughter, 

May 21st, 1821. Confirmed by Bishop Brownell, Bridge- 
port Church. 



Frederick Burr, 

Susan Nichols, 
Elizabeth Bulkley, 
Eliza Osbourn, 
Ellen Williams, 
Julian Meeker, 
Sally Bears. 

Mrs. Francis Bulkley, 
Mary Perry Beers. 



Ebenezer Allen, 
Elizabeth F. Seeley, 
Olive Kirtland, 
Eliza Booth, 
Ruth Peabody, 

April 28th, 1822. 
John Chatterton, 
Bathsheb Holbertson, 
Elliot Morris. 
William B. Thomas, and his 

wife, 
William Peabody, 
William Peabody, Jr., 



Lucy Peabody, 
Eineline Sherman, 
Matilda Hubble, 
Cornelia Clark, 
Eliza Humphrey. 

Maria Peabody, 
Susan Fairweather, 
Miranda Booth, 
Taylor Nichols, 
Sarah Piersons, 
Emeline Clifford, 
Mary Burritt. 



APPENDIX I. 



265 



October 16th, 1785. 
Ezra Kirtland Sen., 
Tabatha Wakely, 
Ozias and Sarah Burr, 
Sarah Hoyt, Sen., 
Hannah Hoyt, 
Nehemiah Allen, and wife, 
Lucy Shelton, Sen., 
Elijah Burritt, 
Louisa Edwards, 

1786. 
Richard Nichols, 
William Peet, 

1787. 



Ann Sherwood, 

Samuel Brinsmaid, and wife, 

Peninah, 
William Little Dart, 
John Beardsley, 
Widow Cable, 
The wife of James Knapp, 
Lucy Sherwood, 
Wife of Captain Barlow. 

Paulina Burritt. 



The wife of Thomas Quinlau. 



1788. 



October, 1789. 
Charles Nichols, 

November. 
Amos Burr, 
Abby Burr, 

February, 1790. 
Comfort Strong, 

April 4th. 
Philemon Sherwood, 

1792. 
Hepsabeth Sherwood, 

1794. 
Lucy Smith, 

Robert Dascomb and wife 
Charity Hinman, 



Dr. Thomas Quinlan. 

Daniel Burritt, 



Justus Burr. 



Jemimah Peet. 
Hepsabeth Burr, widow, 

Jane Edwards. 

Edra Allen, 
Sarah Whetmore, 
George Nichols. 



266 



APPENDIX I. 



1800. 



Lucy Shelton. 



1806. 
Joseph T. Shelton, 

1807. 
Hannah Allen, 
Amy Beers, 
Betsey Ku'tland, 
Ruth Parrott, 
Hannah Cannon, 
Sally Burr, 
Betsey Burr, 
Ozias Burr, Jr., 

In Fan-field. 
Stephen Adams, 
Sarah Forgue, 
Jonathan Bulkley, dead, 
Mrs. Whitier, 
Widow Redfield, 
Mrs. Bears, 

Daniel Meeker, and wife, 
Peter Bulkley, and wife, 
Joshua Jinnings, and wife, 
Widow Wheelar, 
Mrs. Squire, 
Mrs. Chancy, 
Mrs. Bulkley, widow, 

July 18th, 1879. 
Daniel Whelar, 



Maria Shelton. 

Isaac Hinman, 
Lucy Hinman, now Hyde,. 
Eunice Young, 
Margaret Young, 
Catherine Nichols, 
Comfort Burritt, 
Sarah Burritt, 
Abby Burr. 

Andrew Bulkley's wife, 

Hezekiah Bulkley, 

Ruben Bears, 

Eunice Perry, 

Abigail Sturges, now Nichols,. 

Nathaniel Perry's wife, dead, 

Widow Barlow, 

The wife of Ezra Whelar, 

Mrs. Spaldwin, 

Hezekiah Bulkley, Jr., 

Wife of David Oysterbanks, 

Ruel Thorp, and wife. 



Robert Scudder. 



September 5th. 

The wife of Robert Scudder. 
September 26th. 

Abigail Spaldwin, dead. 



APPENDIX I. 



267 



Widow Bulkley, at Mill River. 



October 29th, 1790. 
Peter Whitney, and wife, 

November, 1791. 

John Perry, and his wife, Lois, moved away. 

March 4th, 1792. 

The wife of Elnathan Smith. 



September, 1793. 
The wife of Daniel Whelar, 
Piatt Bennett, and his wife, 

moved away, 

1795. 

The wife of Nathaniel 

Penfield, moved, 
Bethiah Marquand, left the 

Church, 
Elnathan Smith, 

October, 1785. North Fairfield Communicants. 
Jonathan Coley, and wife, Arden Jackson, and wife. 

Widow Downs, The wife of John Jackson, 

The wife of Jonathan Bradley, Ephriam Fairchild, 
Mrs. Piatt, ( Jarvis Piatt ), William Prince, and wife. 



Eliphalet Hill, 
Thomas Tredwell, 
Ebenezer Nichols, 

Nathaniel Perry, 
Aaron Bears, 
The wife of Jesup Perry, 
Mrs. Pike. 



Seth Gilbert and wife, 

Mrs. Foot, 

Mrs. Mills, 

Mrs. Burr, 

Calvin Whelar, and wife, 

June, 1786. 
Samuel Lord, and his w 

Samuel Lord dead, 
Thaddeus Bennett, and his wife 

May 1787. 
Moses Burr, 
Lyon, 



Daniel Morehouse, and wife, 

Mrs. Morehouse dead, 
The wife of Joseph Morehouse,. 
Joseph Gilbert, and wife. 
Jack, servant to Esq. Andrew. 

The wife of Stephen Gilbert. 
The wife of Hezekiah Thorp,. 



Ebenezer Lyon, and wife. 



268 



APPENDIX I. 



1793. 
John Fanteii, 

Thaddeus Gilbert, and wife, 
Platfc Bennett, and wife, 
Sarah Bennett, 

1794. 
Hannah Bulkley, dead, 
John Cadwell, 
Calvin Whelar Jr., and wife, 
Augustus Lyon, and wife, 

Methodist, 
Isaac L3'on's wife, 
Wife of Daniel Lyon, 
Hezekiah Osbourn, and wife, 
The wife of Robert Mills, 
Eunice Gilbert, 
Robert Downs, and wife, 

1811. 

Mrs. Nichols, wife of Stiles 

Nichols, 
Anna French, wife of J. 

French, 
Mrs. Allen, wife of Eben Allen, 
Lucy Barlow, 
Mrs. Tisdale, 

1812. 

Lucy Mallory, now Warden, 
Mrs. King, now Brooks, 
Fanny Brooks, 

1813. 

Wheeler Sherman, 
Sally Mason, 
Mrs. Botsford, 



Thomas Tredwell, 
Ezra Wenton, 
Isaac Lyon. 



Mrs. Cole, 

Mrs. Keener, 

Gould Nichols, and wife. 

Dr. Parock, 

Joseph Win ton, and wife, 

Mrs. Ezra Win ton. 

The wife of Clark Gregory, 

Ebenezer Sherman, 

Timothy Hubble, and wife, 

Zachariah Hubble. 



Mrs. Sherwood, wife of S. 

Sherwood, 
Mrs. Mallory, wife of Jonathan 

Mallory, 
Mrs. Hubble, wife of Thadeus 

Hubble, 
Lucretia Hoyt. 

Lucy Porter, widow, 
Henrietta Shelton. 



Mrs. Prindle, 

Mrs. Choat, 

Fanny Lord, now Lewis. 



APPENDIX I. 269 

1815. 

Harvey Page and wife, Mrs. Humphrey, 

Maria Roberts, Mrs. Foot, 

Julia Wheeler, wife of Samuel Anna Sherman, wife of 

Wheeler, William Sherman, 

William Patch, Mercy Fairweather, 

Arnold Hurd, Phebe, wife of T. Hawley, 

February, 1816. 

Comfort, wife of J. Strong, Mrs. Betsey Smith, wife of 

Esq., S. Smith, 

David Mynott, and wife, Sarah, Prudence, wife of William 

Hannah, wife of Isaac Hinman, Goodsel, 

Polly Burr, Phebe, wife of James Weeks, 

Maria Peet, suspended, 

Mrs. Blake, Sarah, wife of Charles Nichols. 
Mrs. Clark, wife of J. Clark, 

June 2nd. 

Stebens Smith, Sarah Burritt, 

Caroline Burr, Lydia Patch, 

Samuel Wheeler, Matildah Wheeler. 
Jonathan Mallory, 

Communicants belonging to Fairfield Church. 

Mrs. Hannah Bulkley, Priscilla Bears, now Osbouru, 

Abby Bulkley, Abigal Bears, now Perry, 

Abigail Whitier, Compt. Samuel Bears, and 

Mrs. Andrew Bulkle}', his wife Sarah, 

Mary Perry, SamualBears, Jr.,and hiswife, 

Abigail Nichols, WalterSherwood, and his wife, 

Polly Perry, wife of D. Perry, Ruben Sherwood, and his wife, 

Abel Ogden, Sally Banks, 

Betsey Ogden, Josiah Bulkley, 

Nathaniel Perry, Wife of Capt. James Beaty, 

Eunice Perry, Joshua Jennings, and his wife, 

Mrs. Bears, wife of Nathan David Jennings, 

Bears, Abraham Bulkley, and his wife, 



270 



APPENDIX I. 



Mrs. Robertson, 

Mrs. William Robertson, 

Maria Sturges, 

Mrs. Eunice Pike, 

Daniel Meeker, and his wife, 



Alexander S. Nichols, and his 

wife, 
Nathaniel Perry Bears, and 

his wife, 
Aaron Bears, 



Hezekiah Bradley, and his wife, E. Bobbin's wife. 



Capt. Goodsel, 

Widow Bulkley, the 2nd, 

June 6th, 1813. 
Jonathan Bears, 
Jesse Banks, 

July 1813. 
Hannah Lewis, 
Mrs. Samuel Sturges, 
Mrs. Ward Bulkley, 

1816. 
Sarah Dimon, widow. 
Abby Dimon, 
Abby Sherwood, 
Mrs. Darrow, Mill River, 

Sept. 22nd. 
Charlotte Bulkley, 
James Beers, 



Abel Bears, and wife. 
The wife of Joel Squire. 

Hull Sherwood. 



Mrs. Seth Stui-ges, 
Aaron Jinnings, 
Rebecca Osbourn. 

Mrs. Darrow, 

Mrs. Bangs, widow, now Mrs. 

Perry, 
Joseph Bulkley, and wife Cloe. 

Maria Beers. 



August 12th, 1817. Confirmed by Bishop Hobart, in 
Fairfield. 

Elizabeth Hubble, 
Stephen Osbourn, Jr., 
Abel Ogden, 
Betsey Ogden, 
Sturges Ogden, 
Louisa Robertson, 
Mrs. Moses Jinnings, 
Eliza Bangs, 



Thankful Sturges, 
Ellen Sherwood, 
Priscilla Bobbins, 
Parmela Robbins, 
Eunice Beers, 
Paulina Beers, 
Eunice Bulkley, 
Paulina Beers, 



APPENDIX I. 



271 



Polly Bulkley, 
■Ohasideck Kenner, 
Nathaniel Persons, 
Mrs. Sheffield, 
Noah Pike, 
Julia Pike, 
Sally Darrow, 
Mahitable Beers, 
Albert Lockwood, 

May 1818. 



Charity Lockwood, 

Lydia Wood, 

Minerva Peet, 

Mrs. Nathaniel Jennings, 

Jones, 

Morris Sturges, 
Henrietta Bulkley, 
Mrs. Sheffield. 



Mrs. Moses Jennings. 



July 26th. 
The wife of Joseph Bulkley, 
Joseph Perry, 
Griswold Bradley, 

1821. 
Ansel Trubee, dead, 
Mrs. Griswold Burr, 
Benjamin Sturges, 
Thankful Sturges, 
Caroline Sherwood, 
Abby Dimon, 
Miranda Dimon, 
Widow Sarah Dimon, 
Eunice Darrow, 
Sarah Perry, 
Priscilla Bobbins, 
The wife of Ward Bulkley, 
Abby Sherwood, 
Hannah Lewis, 
Rebecca Osbourn, 
James Bears, 

July, 1823. 



Mary Bradley, 
Julia Pike. 



Maria Bears, 

Mrs. Levi Perry, 

Mrs. Samuel Sturges, dead, 

Mrs. Darrow, Mill River, 

Mrs. Nathaniel Jinnings, 

Mrs. James Bulkley, 

Mrs. Aaron Hubble, 

Mrs. William Bulkley, 

Stephen Osbourn, 

Charlotte Bulkley, 

Elnathan Smith, and his wife, 

Mrs. Thorp, 

Abel Bears, 

Betsey Bears, 

Jesse Banks, 

Abigail HoUins. 



David Perry. 



272 APPENDIX I. 

Nov. 2nd, 
Benjamin Sherwood, and wife, Azor Osbourn, and wife, Sarah. 
Sarah Ann, 
December 3rd. 

Mary Smith, daughter to E. Smith. 
March. 

Mrs. Walter Bulkley. 
April, 1824. 
Stephen Beers, and wife, Mrs. Eunice Sherwood. 

July 11th. 

Ellen Sherwood. 

August 1st. 

Capt. Walter Bulkley. 

July 12th, 1818. 
Ebenezer Allen, Edri Burr, wife of Nichols 

Samuel Allen, dead, Burr. 

April 11th, 1819. 
Capt. Curtis Blackman, and The wife of Lieut Hitchcock. 

his wife, Lavina B., 

October 3rd. 

Thomas Holbertson. 

January 8th, 1820. 
Eunice Pendleton, Comfort, wife of Eben Booth. 

June. 
Eunice Holbertson, Jesse Scovil, and wife, 

April 20th, 1821. 
Sophia Crittenton, Mrs. Green, dead, 

Sally Parrott, Miss Mary Green, 

Nancy Humphrey, William Sheltou. 

Thomas Green, 

June 17th. 
Olive Kirtland, Minerva Humphrey, 

Mrs. Ruth Peabody, Eliza Humphrey. 

Lucy Peabody, 



APPENDIX I. 273 

September. 

Elizabeth Seeley, wife of Ebeu Seeley. 

December 2nd. 
Charles Foote, Mary Peabody, 

Charlotte Minott, Taylor Nichols, 

Betsey Smith, wife of George William B. Thomas, aud his 

Smith, wife, 

William Peabody, Ira Curtis, and wife. 

January 6th, 1822. 
Martha Green, Joseph Ward. 

February 10th. 

John Chatterton. 

April 7th. 
Mary Middlebrooks, Maria Sherman. 

Mrs. Persons, 

May 26th. 
Samuel B. Ferguson, Samuel Stratton, and wife, 

James Clifford, Eliza Turney. 

Naoma Hubble, 

July 21st. 
Harriot Kirtland, Sarah Burr, wife of J. Burr. 

Samuel Kirtland, 

July 21st, 1822. 
George A. Shelton, Ann Foote. 

March, 1823. 
Harriot Allen, wife of J. Allen, John Nash. 

November. 

Catherine Middlebrook. 

January, 1824. 
Joseph Brooks, Margaret Shelton. 



274 



APPENDIX J. 



APPENDIX J. 



Obituary Notices of the Rev. Philo Shelton, and Mrs. 

Lucy Shelton, his Wife, by the Rev. Dr. Jarvis, 

1825 A. D. 

Died at his residence, on Sunday, February 27tb, 1825, 
Rev. Philo Shelton, aged 70. A numerous acquaintance 
justly lament his departure. It is seldom that any community 
is called upon to mourn the loss of a more truly pious and 
good man. The history of such a person is diversified by few 
incidents calculated to interest the general reader. He who 
ministers in holy things, is not called upon by a bustling 
world, to mingle in its contests, and contend for its honors. 
It is in the stillness of peaceful retirement, amidst the poor 
and afflicted, and in the solemn assemblies of the Church, 
that his life is principally spent. The incidents which mark 
the course of such a life, are of necessity few, that can excite 
attention, except in the minute observance of the progress of 
that religion, which, like the still small voice, finds its way 
silently to the hearts of men. Still, however, the practically 
religious and amiable character of this good man, ought not 
pass unnoticed nor be forgotten. 

He was born at Huntington, May 5th, 1754. From his 
youth, he was deeply impressed with the importance of 
embracing the Christian religion ; viewing this life as the pro- 
bationary period of man's existence, and the only time allotted 
to him, in which he may prepare for enjoying an eternity of 
happiness, the proper improvement of the present, to ensure 



APPENDIX J. 275 

the future welfare of the soul, became to him the subject of 
the deepest interest. Under these impressions he embraced 
Christianity in early life, and came to the Holy Communion 
as an instituted means of grace. Finding by sweet experience, 
that the path of virtue and religion, was the path of peace, he 
became anxious that others should participate with him in 
the cheering prospects of a glorious immortality. This 
excited his desire to become a dispenser of those Doctrines 
and Sacraments, which were the source of his own consola- 
tions and hope. 

After having finished the requisite studies, he entered Yale 
College in 1771, preparative to receiving Holy Orders, and 
becoming a minister of the Gospel of Peace. During his 
residence at College, he sustained a fair character and re- 
spectable standing, and graduated in 1775. As the arduous 
struggle between the then Colonies and Great Britain, pre- 
vented him from receiving ordination, he became lay reader 
in the parishes of Stratfield, ( now Bridgeport ), Fairfield and 
Weston. In 1785, upon the return of Bishop Seabury from 
Europe, clothed with Episcopal authority, he entered the 
the ministry, and was the first person Episcopally ordained in 
the United States. The vestries of the above named parishes 
unanimously elected him their Rector. This appointment he 
accepted, and notwithstanding repeated invitations to other 
parishes, much more eligible, and in a pecuniary point of 
view, far more promising, he chose to remain with his beloved 
people, and although with a small salary, he persevered in the 
faithful discharge of his duties, gratified by daily observing 
that his labors Avere not in vain in the Lord. 

Thus cemented in mutual affection, did this worthy pastor 
and his people pass more than thirty 3'ears. But the Parish 
of Fairfield having received considerable accessions, and that 
of Bridgeport having greatly increased in numbers, he was 
compelled, although reluctantly, to discontinue his services in 
Weston, to enable him to supply the spiritual wants of the 



276 APPENDIX J. 

rapidly increasing Parish of Bridgeport. This parish, at the 
commencement of Mr. Shelton's ministry, was small, but 
continued gradually to increase for several years. 

But, as the Borough of Bridgeport increased in population, 
and with it, that part of the congregation, the location of the 
old Church was found to be quite inconvenient, and it was 
deemed expedient to erect a new one in the more dense part 
of the population. In this work, which commenced in 1801, 
Mr. Shelton assisted the people, not only by his counsel, but 
by liberal contributions. After the removal of the Church, 
large accessions were made to the number of his hearers. 
For more than twenty years, he had the satisfaction of seeing 
his labors blessed by the Great Head of the Church, and being 
beloved by his children in the Gospel. Indeed, few clergymen 
have enjoyed the happiness of beiug more universally esteemed 
by their acquaintances, or more generally beloved by their 
people. 

Although the excellencies of this good man are a theme 
upon which I might long dwell with delight, my limits will 
permit me to go no further. Having fought the good fight 
and kept the faith, there is a crown of glory laid up for him, 
which God, the Righteous Judge, will give him at the last 
day. 

OBITUARY OF LUCY SHELTON, WIFE OF PHILO SHELTON. 

Died at her residence, near Bridgeport, Connecticut, on 
Friday, October 19th, 1838, in the 78th year of her age, Lucy, 
widow of the late Rev. Philo Shelton, for 40 years Rector of St. 
John's Church, in that borough. Her remains were interred 
on Sunday, the 21st of October, after divine service and a 
sermon from Psalm 39, 9th verse, suitable to the solemn 
occasion, by the Rev. Gordon I. Coit, the present Rector. 
Mr. Shelton may justly be called the first fruits of the 
American Episcopate, for he was the first clergyman ordained 
by the first American Bishop. Hands were laid upon him by 
Bishop Seabury, on August 3rd, 1785, and from that time ho 



APPENDIX J. 277 

continued, until his death, to exercise his holy functions in 
one parish. 

On April 20th, 1781, he was united to her, who is the 
subject of the present notice, and by whom he had a numerous 
family. Most of her children are now living, and among them 
two most respectable and useful clergymen of our Church. 
The present writer, though unconnected by other than 
Christian ties, was from a child, intimate in the family, and 
has never witnessed, in the midst of peculiar trials and 
diflS.CLilties, a more lovely example of Christian meekness and 
charity. It is unnecessary to dwell upon a fact universally 
known, that during the period of Mr. Shelton's ministry, the 
members of our communion were a feeble, and in Connecticut, 
a despised aud persecuted flock. Yet he and his wife, like 
Zechariah aud Elizabeth, " walked in all the Commandments 
and Ordinances of the Lord, blameless,'' and so lived down all 
opposition as to command the respect and love, even of those 
who were most hostile to their principles. They blended 
firmness of purpose and moral courage, with the most dove- 
like simplicity aud gentleness. 

Mrs. Shelton took a lively interest in all her husband's 
concerns. She looked well to the ways of her household, and 
by the strict performance of a woman's duties, lightened his 
cares and promoted his influence. Husband and wife were 
so blended together, that the}' seemed to have but one will 
aud one heart. His God was her God; his Redeemer was 
her Redeemer ; his Church was her Church ; his people were 
her people. She never stepped beyond the retiring modesty 
of her sex, but the present writer has often listened to her 
conversation on Christian doctrines and duties, uttered with 
that sort of animation which showed that her whole heart was 
in the matter. Bright patterns of Christian virtue ! With 
what tender affection does memory look back to past enjoy- 
ments in your peaceful abode, and with what ardor do faith 
and hope look forward, to the reunion of immortality ! 



278 APPENDIX K. 



APPENDIX K. 



The Bible and Common Prayer Book Society of Trinity 
Church, Southport, Connecticut. 

constitution and membership. 

At a meeting of a number of gentlemen, members of Trinity 
Episcopal Church in Fairfield, on the first day of Januai'y 
1818, for the purpose of forming a Bible and Common Prayer 
Book Society, the following was unanimously adopted as their 
Constitution: 

Article 1st. — This organization shall be known and dis- 
tinguished by the name of the Bible and Common Prayer 
Book Society of the Town of Fairfield. 

Article 2nd. — Every person who shall annually pay into the 
treasury one dollar shall be a member of said Societj'. And 
whosoever shall pay at one time the sum of seven dollars 
shall be a member for life. 

Article 3kd. — The officers of the Society shall be chosen 
annually and shall consist of one president, one vice-president, 
a treasurer, a secretarj'^, and three directors, a majority of 
whom shall constitute a board to transact business. The 
clergyman in charge of Trinity Church, in the Town of Fair- 
field, shall be the president ex-officio, and the treasurer shall 
give bonds for the faithful discharge of his trust, to the satis- 
faction of the board, and also make an annual report to the 
board of the state of the funds. 



APPENDIX K. 279 

Article 4:Th. — It shall be the duty of all the members of 
the board to exert themselves to obtain subscriptions and 
donations, and pay the same into the treasury, and all such 
subscriptions and donations shall be considered a permanent 
fund and be put to interest, and no more than the interest 
thereof shall be used for the purposes of the Society until 
the funds amount to one hundred dollars. 

Article 5th. — ^With the interest of the funds the directors 
shall purchase Bibles without note or comment, and Common 
Prayer Books, and distribute them to the needy under the 
direction of the board and the latter shall make report of their 
doings, the state of the funds, etc., to the annual meeting of 
the Society. 

Article 6th. — There shall be an annual meeting of the 
Society sometime in the month of January at such time and 
place as the president, or in his absence, the secretary shall 
direct. 

Article 7th. — There shall be a book provided by the secre- 
tary in which he shall record the names of the members, and 
the several sums given by them, also the proceedings of the 
meetings and such other matters as shall be directed by the 
board. 

Article 8th. — No person shall receive any pecuniary re- 
ward for his services as an officer or agent of this Society. 

Article 9th. — The foregoing shall be the Constitution of 
the Bible and Common Prayer Book Society of Trinity Church 
in the Town of Fairfield, and said Constitution shall not be 
altered except at an annual meeting, and by the votes of two- 
thirds of the members present. 

After the foregoing Constitution was read and adopted the 
meeting proceeded to the election of officers for the year 
ensuing, and the following gentlemen were appointed by a 
unanimous vote, viz.: 



280 



APPENDIX K. 



Rev. Philo Shelton, President. 
Mr. William Robinson, Vice-President. 
Mr. Jesse Banks, Secretary. 
Mr. Jeremiah Stnrges, Treasurer. 

Mr. Walter Sherwood, Mr. Joseph W. Davis, Mr. Abel 
Beers, directors. 

List of Officers and Members. 



PRESIDENTS. 

Rev. Philo Shelton, 1818-25. 

Rev. William Shelton, D. D., 1825-29. 

Rev. Charles Smith, 1829-34. 

Rev. Nathaniel E. Cornwall, 1834-53. 

Rev. James E. Purdy, 1853-58. 

Rev. Rufns Emery, 1858-70. 

Rev. Edward L. Wells, 1870-77. 

Rev. Taliaferro P. Caskey, 1877-79. 

Rev. Charles G. Adams, 1879-90. 

Rev. Edmund Guilbert, 1891— 

VICE-PRESIDENTS. 

Mr. William Robinson, 1818-26. 

Mr. Walter Sherwood, 1826-36. 

Mr. James Bulkley, 1836-45. 

Mr. Abel Beers, 1845 58. 

Mr. William Bulkley, 1858-59. 

Mr. Abel Beers, 1859-63. 

Mr. William Bulkley, 1863-68. 

Mr. Abel Beers, 1868-75. 

Mr. Jonathan Godfrey, Jr., 1875-83. 

Mr. Augustus Jennings, 1883-86. 

Mr. Franklin Bulkley, 1886— 



APPENDIX K. 



281 



LIFE MEMBERS. 



1818. 

Rev. Philo Shelton, 
Je.sse Banks, 
Abel Beers, 

Grisella and Mary Bradley, 
Stephen Osboru, 
William Kobinson, 
Walter Sherwood, 
Benjamin Stur^fes, 
Gersham Sturges, 
Jeremiah Sturges. 

1827. 
Joseph Bulkley. 

1829. 
James Bulklej*. 

1831. 

Rev. Charles Smith. 

1839. 
Edward Carew, 
Jonathan Godfrey, 
George Robinson, 
Henry Sturges. 

1840. 
Rev. Nathaniel E. Cornwall. 

1S46. 
David Banks, 
George Ogden, 
Henry Perrj'. 

1852. 
Augustus Jennings. 

1853. 
George M. Hawkins. 



1854. 

Rev. James S. Purdy, 
Charles Bulkley, 
William Bulkley, 
Isaac Milbank. 

1862. 
Oliver Bulkley, 
Jeremiah Sturges. 

1865. 
John H. Sherwood. 

1866. 
Andrew Bulkley. 

1867. 
Franklin Bulkley, 
Francis Jelliff. 

1868. 

(Semi-Centennial Year.) 
Rt. Rev. John Williams, D.D. 
Rev. Rnfus Emery, 
Mrs. William Bulkley, 
Mrs. Andrew Bulkley, 
Mrs. Mary J. Gallagher, 
Mrs. Augustus Jennings, 
Mrs. Nehemiah Perry, 
Mrs. Benjamin Pomeroy, 
Miss Josephine B. Pomeroy, 
Mrs. Brooks Hughes Wells, 
Mrs. Edward H. Winslow, 
Patrick Griffin, 
Henry Davis, 
Arthur O. Jennings, 
James D. Jennings, 



282 



APPENDIX K. 



Benjamin Pomeroy, 
Justus Sherwood, M. D. 
Jesup B. Wakeman. 

18G9. 
Mrs. Sarah J. Morehouse, 
Frederick Bulkley, 
William C. Bulkley, 
William D. Gallagher, 
John Hawkins, 
Howard N. Wakeman. 

1870. 
Miss Elizabeth D. Banks. 

1871. 
Kev. Edward L. Wells. 

1878. 
Rev. Taliaferro P. Caskey, 
Sidney Hawkins, 
Charles Rockwell. 

1879. 
Charles F. Bulkley. 

1881. 
Rev. Charles G. Adams, 



Moses Bulkley. 

1886. 
Edward M. Bulkley, 
Abraham B. Sturges. M. D. 

1889. 
E. Livingston Wells. 

1890. 
Joseph Bradley. 

1891. 
Roderick P. Curtis. 

1892. 
Rev. Edmund Guilbert, D. D. 
E. Cornelius Sherwood. 

1893. 
Lewis A. Curtis, 
Lewis B. Curtis. 

1894. 
Oliver T. Sherwood. 

1895. 
John A. Gorham. 

1898. 



Azor O. Hawkins. 
At the Semi-Centennial meeting of the Bible and Common 
Prayer Book Society, held in Trinity Church, February 7th^ 
1868, the following report was made: "The Society has now 
been in existence fifty years, and has distributed Bibles and 
Prayer Books, whenever asked for, to the needy of this 
parish ; also to the Sunday school ; also to St. Paul's of Fair- 
field, to Weston, to Easton, to Kansas, to Michigan, to vessels 
of this port, to war vessels of the United States Government, 
in all, fourteen hundred and forty-one books of Common Prayer, 
eighty-eight New Testaments, and fifty-one Bibles, besides in 
1835, purchasing one large Prayer Book for use of Trinity 
Church, and again in 1856, one large Bible, and three large 
Prayer Books for the same purpose. " 



APPENDIX K. 283^ 

It is estimated that the Society up to the present time, 
1898, has distributed, in the aggregate, nearly six thousand 
copies of the Bible, the New Testament, and the Book of 
Common Prayer. The total amount of invested funds is 
$561.12, and the present officers as elected January, 1898, are : 

Rev. Dr. Edmund Guilbert, President, Ex-officio. 

Franklin Bulkley, Vice President. 

John H. Sherwood, John Hawkins, Charles F. Bulkley, E. 
L. Wells, Oliver Bulkley, E. C. Sherwood, A. O. Jennings, 
R. P. Curtis, H. N. Wakeman, Directors. 

A. B. Sturges, Oliver Bulkley, Franklin Bulkley, Finance 
Committee. 

H. N. Wakeman, Secretary and Treasurer. 

John Hawkins, John H. Sherwood, A. O. Jennings, Standing- 
Committee. 



INDEX. 

[The Index does not extend either to the Notes ok the 
Appendices.] 



287 



INDEX 



Aberdeen, 62 

Academy Building, 92, IIS 

Act of Toleration, 8 

Adams, Abraham, 86 

Adams, Rev. Chas. G., 146, 151 ; 

12th Rector, 1879-90 
Adams, Nathan, 10 
Alvord, Jessup, 96, 97 
Alvord, Nelson B., 97 
Ainerican Episcopate, 61 
American Clergy, 43 
American Revolution, 52 
Applegate, Avis, 36 
Applegate, John, 36 



Baldwin, Rev. Ashbel, 64, 124 
Banks, Miss Elizabeth D., 112, 

155 
Banks, Miss Mary J., 112, 155 
Banks, David, 147 
Banks, Jesse, 76 
Beeman, Rev. Allen E., 124 
Beardsley, Samuel, 83 
Belden, Nathan, 141 
Beers, Abel, 78, 95, 102, 103, 115 
Beers, Henry, 96, 97, 102 
Beers, Ruben, 65, 72 
Benjamin, Rev. Wm. H., 133 
Betts, Lyman, 96 
Bible and Common Praj^er Book 

Society of Trinity Parish, 79 
Bishops in America, 61 
Bishop, Rev. E. P. 133 
Bostwick, Rev. W. L., 120 
Book of Common Praj^er, 80 



Booth, Richard, 82 

Bradley, Miss Griselda, 96, 97, 

102, 141 
Bradlev, Miss Mary, 96, 97, 

102, 141 
Bradlev, David, 102 
Brathwaite, Rev. F. W., 133 
Brewster, Right Rev. Chauncev 

B., 143 
British Armv,in New Haven and 

Fairfield, 53 
Bridge, Rev. Mr., 27 
Bronson, Rev. Wm. White, 120 
Brown, Rev. Daniel, 31 
Brown, Rebecca, 37 
Brownell, Right Rev. Thomas C, 

87 

Burnet, Bishop, 14 
Burr, Miss Marv Frances, 155 
Burr, Col. John,'83 
Burr, Moses, 65 
Burr, Ozias, 65 
Burr,Thadeus, 70 
Burritt, Elijah, 165 
Burroughs, Edgar, 113 
Bulkley, Miss C. Malvina, 112 
Bulkley, Miss Louisa D., 112 
Bulkley, Miss Mary Jane, 112 
Bulkley, Miss Mar}' Josephine, 

112 
Bulkley. Mrs. Hattie, 112 
BulkleV, Abraham, 76 
Bulkley, Andrew, 96, 97, 102, 

103, 113, 136 

Bulkley, Charles, 96, 102, 141, 

142 
Bulkley, Edwin, 122 



288 



INDEX. 



Biilklev, Eleazar, 96 
Bulkier, George, 96, 113 
Bulklev, Hezekiah, 59, 96 
Bulkier, Jas. B., 96, 97 
Bulkier, Joel B., 90, 102 
Bulkier, Jonathan, 96 
Bulkier, Josiah, 67 
Bulkier, L. H., 96 
BulkleV, Lewis D., 122 
Bulkier, Lot, 97, 102, 141 
Bulklev, Moses, 96, 97, 

103,"ll9, 136 
Bulkley, Peter, 66 
Bulkley, Walter, 95, 96 
Bulkier, Ward, 102 
Bulkley, William, 96, 97, 

103, 119, 136 
Burlington, N. J., 23 



102, 



102, 



Candor, Rev. Mr., 124- 
Caner, Rev. Henry, 39, 43; 

1st Rector, 1727-i7 
Canedr, William, 102 
Cannon, Philip, 83 
Caskev, Tahaferro P., 142, 145; 

lltli Rector, 1877-79, 
Chapel, 139 
Charles, L, 3 
Charles, II, 7 
Charter, new, 13 
Chestnut Ridge, 46 
Choir in "Old Church on the 

Hill," 112 
Clapp, Rev. Mr. 124 
Clark, Rer. Dr. J. L., 132 
Coit, Rev. G. S., 120, 123 
Cotton, John, 21 
Coley, Darid, 96 
Coler, Jonathan, 66 
Collrer, Thomas L., 65 
Commencement at Yale College 
Concordate, 64 
Confirmation, Rite of, 81 
Cornwall, Miss Anna E., Ill 
Cornwall, Rer. Asa, 100 
Cornwall, Rer. Nathaniel E., 

108,116; 7th Rector, 1834-53 
Cushion, Rer. Mr., 21 
Curtis, Mrs. Lewis A., 155 
Cutler, Rer. Timothy, 31, 60 



Daris, Miss Cornelia, 113 
Daris, Miss Emilr, 113 
Davis, Hezekiah, 96, 102 
Davis, Joseph W., 96, 97, 102. 

103 
Davenport, John, 2 
Daries, Right Rer. Thos. F., 124 
Deshon, Rer. G. H., 132 
Dimon, Ebenezer, 96 
Dimon, W. D., 96 
Down, Leri, 96, 97 
Dudler, Governor, 20 
Dudley, Henry, 96 
Dwight, President Timothy, 54 

IE 
Erasmus, 4 
Elizabeth, Queen, 4 
Eliot, Rev. Mr., 55 
Emerr, Rer. Rufus, 127. 137; 

9th" Rector, 1858-71 
Emery, Rer. S. M., 132 

Fairfield, Burning of, 53 

Fairfield, Churchmen in, 9, 10 

First Church Edifice, location, 34; 
dedicated, 34; prores to be to 
small, 40 ; replaced b3' a larger 
structure, 41 

First Southport Parsonage, be- 
gun, 104; sold, 107 

Fifth Church Edifice, location, 
119; consecrated, 120; de- 
strored br tornado, 128 

Fisher" Rer." C. R., 120 

Fourth Church Edifice, originallj' 
designed as a Chapel for the 
mother Church, 95; location, 
95 ; consecrated, 95 ; contribut- 
ors, 96 ; popularitr, 101 ; be- 
comes the Parish Church, 104; 
Christmas festivities, 111; 
choir, 112; destro3'ed br fire, 
118 

Furniss, Jos. H., 92 

French, Rer. Louis, 120, 132 

O- 
Gallagher, Mrs. Mary J., 156 
Gordon, Rer. Patrick, 20 



289 



Godfrey, Jonathan, 96,102, 112, 

115, 119, 131, 147 
Godfrey, Rev. Stephen, 102 
Godfrey, Rev. J., 133 
Gore, Canon, 15 
Gorham, Shubael, 66 
Goodwin, Rev. F.J., 120 
Graves, Matthew, 61 
Greenfield Hill, 54, 69, 101 
Greenwich, 46 
Guilbert, Rev. Edmund, 152, 160; 

13th Rector, 1891— 

Hallam, Rev. Dr., 123 

Hanford, Mr., 28 

Hawks. Rev. Francis L., 95, 96, 

102 
Hawkins, B. A., 96 
Hawkins, Benj. B., 102 
Hawkins, Benj. N., 102 
Hawkins, Edward, 155 
Heathcote. Caleb, 24, 25, 26 
Hobart, Right Rev. John Henry, 

80, 81 
Hull, Sarah, 96 
Hall, ]ohn, 97 

T 
Jackson, Rev. Prof., 120 
Jarvis, Right Rev. Abraham, 20, 

71 
Jelliff, Francis, 113, 149, 153 
Jennings, Aaron, 96, 102 
Jennings, Augustus, 119, 147 
Jennings, David, 37, 76 
Jennings, James, 97 
Jennings, Joshua, 96 
Johnson, Rev. Samuel, 9, 30, 31, 

34, 60, 79, 131 
Johnson, Rev. Geo. D., 133 
Johnson, Rev. Samuel Roosevelt, 

118, 120 
Johnson, Rev. Wm. Allen, 125 
Jones, Rev. Wm. Strother, 124 
Judah, Rev. Mr., 83 
Judd, Rev. Mr., 120, 124 

Katlin, Ezra, 59 

Keith, Rev. George, 19, 22, 23 



Kirtland, Ezra, 65. 
Knapp, Henry R., 123 



Laborie, Dr. James, 28, 29, 34 
Lacy, Miss Phoebe, 145 
Lamson, Rev. Joseph, 44,45, 48, 

82 ; 2d Rector, 1747-74 
Leonard, Wm. B., 122 
Leffingwell, Rev. C. S., 123, 12 4- 
Lewis, Rev. Mr., 120 
Lines, Benjamin, 37 
Lockwood, John, 10 
Lottery, 75, 77 
Lord, Esther, 17 
Lyon, Samuel, 10 
Ludlow, Rogfr, 2, 7 

Mackenzie, Rev. Aeneas, 28 

Mackenzie, Dougal, 48 

Marcv, John, 9 

Marshall, Rev. Mr., 50 

Marquand, Frederick, 100 

Massachusetts, Colony of, 2 

Mason, Capt., 2 

Mead, Rev. Dr., 120, 123, 132 

Meeker, Daniel, 65 

Meeker, Samuel, 72 

Meeker, W. B., 72 

Methodists, 100 

Mill River, 91 

Minor, Richardson, 45 

Muirson, Rev. George, 24, 26, 27 

IST 

Nash, Henry, 102, 103 

Newburgh, 137 

New Canaan, 46 

Newtown, L. I., 55 

Nichols, Allan, 119, 147 

Nichols, C. T., 97 

Nichols, Ebenezer, 65 

Nichols, John, 82 

Nichols, Judson, 102 

Nichols, Rev. Geo. Warner, 124 

Nichols. Rev. Samuel, 124 

Norwalk, 42, 46 

Northfield, 42 

Nova Scotia, 56 



290 



INDEX. 



Ogden, Abel, 97, 103 
Ogden, George, 97, 102 
Old Church on the Hill, 109 
Olmstead, Rev. H., 124 
Onderdonk, Right Rev. B. T.,95, 

110 
Ordinations, 32, 45, 64, 91, 118, 

143 
Osborn, Stephen, 96 

Parish School of Trinity- Church, 

139 
Parochiales Notitiae, 83 
Parliament, English, 61 
Penfield, Rachel, 96 
Pequot Librarv, 1 
Perrv, Mrs. Francis D., 72, 153 
Perry, Charles, 96, 97 
Perry, Francis D., 147 
Perrv, Gordon, 96 
Perr3% Henry, 96, 97, 102 
Perrv, John, 4 
Perry, Joseph, 96, 102 
Perrv, Nathaniel, 70 
Perrv Rectory, 158 
Philfips, Rev. Mr., 27 
Pigot, Rev. George, 28, 29, 60 
Pike, JuHus, 90, 102 
Pitkin, William, 7 
Pomerov, Benjamin, 122, 129, 

136,141 
Pomerov, Benjamin, 2d, 141 
Portland, 81 
Potter, Rev. C. I., 120 
Presbj'terian Ministers, 63 
Purdv, Rev. J. Souveraine, 117, 

126'; 8th Rector, 1853-58 
Purves, Rev. J.. 120, 124 

Q 
Quakers, 20 
Quinnipiack Harbor, 2 

Redding, 1 

Reid, Rev. H. H., 123 

Revolution, American, 52 

Ridgefield, 42, 46 

Ripton, 57 

Robinson, Miss Anna, 96 



Robinson, Miss Jerusha, 113 
Robinson, George, 97 
Robinson, Smith, 97 
Robinson, Thomas, 91, 97 
Robinson, William, 78, 96 
Robertson, Rev. Mr., 120 
Rockwell, Miss Anna R., 157 
Rockwell, Charles, 122, 147 
Roosevelt, Marcus B., 120 
Rowland, Thos. F., 7 
Rumsev, Mrs. Abigail, 46 
Russell", Rev. Mr., 120 
Rye, 24, 45 

S 
Saltonstall, Gordon, 21 
Saugatuck, 69 
Sayre, Rev. John, 50, 56 ; 

3d Rector, 1774-79 
Scottish Episcopate, 62 
Seabury, Right Rev. Samuel, 

elected Bishop, 62 ; consecrated, 

62 ; at Yale commencement, 63 ; 

holds first Convention of the 

Diocese, 64 ; ordination of Rev. 

Philo Shelton and Rev. Ashbel 

Baldwin, 64 
Second Church Edifice, location, 

40; described, 41; burned by 

British troops, 54 
Seelev. Joseph, 82 
Sharpe, Rev. Mr., 27 
Sheffield, Joseph E., 123 
Shelton, Mrs. Philo, 85 
Shelton, Rev. Philo, 57, 88; 4th 

Rector, 1785-1825 
Shelton, Rev. Geo. Augustus, 88 
Shelton, Rev. WilUam, 88, 93; 

5th Rector, 18:^5-29 
Sherman, R. M., 96 
Sherman, Selleck, 97 
Sherwood, Miss Juliette, 120 
Sherwood, Aaron, 97 
Sherwood, E., 96 
Sherwood, Hull, 71, 86, 90, 96, 
Sherwood, 97, 102, 103, 133 
Sherwood, John, 58, 59,65, 68 
Sherwood, Mrs. John H., 155 
Sherwood, John H., 113 
Sherwood, Judas, 96 
Sherwood, Justus, M. D., 102, 
120, 145 



INDEX. 



291 



Sherwood, M. A., 96 
Sherwood, Simon, 96, 97 
Sherwood, Walter, 76, 86, 90, 

96, 102, 103 
Sherwood, William, 95, 96, 102, 

103 
Sherwood, Wm. S., 102 
Short, Mrs. Cornelia Ann, 106 
Short, Rev. J. H., 120, 130, 132 
Slavery, in Connecticut Colony, 5 
Smith," Rev. Charles, 9t, 98; 6th 

Rector, 1829-34 
Smith, George, 103 
Southport, 92, 95. 97, 101, 105, 

116, 124, 143, 154 
Stamford, 46 
Stearns, Rev. Mr., 120 
Stratfield, 59, 65, 82 
Stratford, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 45, 

90 
St. Barnabus Chapel, 120 
St. John's Church, Bridgeport, 

46, 82 
St. Paul's Church, Buffalo, 92 
St. Paul's, Fairfield, 123 
Steinburg, Elias, 102 
Stiles, President, 63 
Stimson, Rev. Levi. 120, 124, 132 
Sturges, Mrs. Jerusha, 48 
Sturges, Benjamin, 10 
Sturges, David B.. 102 
Sturges, Henry, 97, 147 
Sturges, Hezekiah, 68 
Sturges, Jeremiah, 76,78,95, 96, 

97, 102, 103.113,114 
Sturges, Jonathan, 48, 96 
Sturges, Joshua, 97 
Sturges, Samuel, 48 
Sturges, Seth, 65 
Sturgis, Rev. Isaac C, 141 

T 
Talbot, Rev. John, 20 
Talbot, St. George, 48 
Tashua, 81 

Tennison, Archbishop, 17 
"The Old Church Bell," poem, 

105 
Third Church Edifice, location, 

69 ; dimensions, 70 ; conse- 
crated, 72; description of, 73; 

demolished, 105 



Thorp, Charles, 97 

Titharton, Timothy, 9 

Todd, Rev. A. S., 120 

TomHnson, Rev. D. G., 124 

Tomlinson, Gideon, 76 

Townsend, Rev. H., 124 

Trinity Church, 34, 36, 38,41, 
43, 48, 52, 55, 69, 97, 114, 
118, 120, 130, 157, 159 

^^ 
Venerable Society for the Propa- 
gation ofthe Gospel, organized, 
17; seal,. 18; missions in Con- 
necticut Colony, 25, 27, 34, 
43, 45, 50 

Wakeman, Mrs. Zalmon, 155 

Wakeman, J. B., 97 

Wakeman, [essup, 96, 102. 103 

Wakeman, L. B., 96 

Wakeman, Maurice, 97 

Wakeman, W. W., 96 

Ward, Moses, 10 

Washington Hall, 120 

Weston, 59 

Wetmore, Rev. Mr., 45 

Wheeler, Calvin, 65 

Wheeler, Daniel, 59 

Wheeler, Timothy, 83 

Whitefield, George, 44 

Wilton, 46 

Whitmar, Albert, 97 

Wells, Rev. Edward L., 138, 143 ; 

10th Rector, 1870-76 
Wells, Rev. E. Livingston, 143 
Wilberfbrce, Samuel, 63 
Williams, Right Rev. John, 120 

133 
WilHams, Rev. J. R., 120, 124, 

133 
Williams, Rev. W. H., 133 
Willey, Rev. J. M., 132 
Wood, Abi D., 102 
Wood, John H., 112 
Woodbury, 62 



Yale, Elihu, 61 
Yarrington, Rev. B. M., 120 



]KW •-' 



,\i2^ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





014 076 303 2 # 



